Hamilton Zoo has two new cuties of the feline variety. The zoo’s female Sumatran Tiger, ‘Sali’, gave birth to a pair of cubs earlier this month. The male and female cubs are a significant achievement for both the species and the popular Hamilton, New Zealand visitor attraction.

Photo Credits: Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo Curator, Samantha Kudeweh says, “She gave birth on November 16^th, but we needed to keep this news under wraps to ensure a stress-free start to motherhood for Sali. For any first-time mother, those first few days are very important, so we kept our distance and just observed what we could.”

Mrs. Kudeweh says staff were able to assess the cubs for the first time this week. The male cub weighed in at 2.15 kg (4.7 lbs), while his sister was slightly smaller at 2.04kg (4.5 lbs).

“They are fat, loveable, and very strong,” Mrs. Kudeweh says. “Like most newborns, they’re noisy and easily tired, but do seem to be doing okay. They have just started opening their eyes and their ears have begun to unfurl.”

Staff will inspect the cubs weekly over the next three months, monitoring their weight gain and general health. The two cubs have different markings on their necks, which is how they will be identified for the next few months.

Mrs. Kudeweh says Sali will likely remain extremely protective of her offspring for the first two months of their lives, keeping them in her den. Mrs. Kudeweh expects the two cubs to become visible to zoo patrons in late December or early January.

“Once they’re out and about, they’ll demonstrate those traits which make them so loveable! They’ll be adventurous, active, busy, playful and smart.”

The arrival of the cub’s father, ‘Oz’, at Hamilton Zoo, earlier this year was planned as part of the Global Species Management plan for Sumatran Tigers. His introduction to Sali was intended to result in cubs. The birth of the two cubs is a significant achievement for Hamilton Zoo, and the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger species.

“This is career highlight for me and the rest of the team involved,” Mrs. Kudeweh says. “It’s very exciting for the zoo and the species.”

The Sumatran Tiger is a rare sub-species of the tiger. The species is only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and the gradual decline in its population is attributed to human activity, particularly impacts on their natural forest habitat. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates only 500 of the animals live in the wild.