It was recently bath-time for Sumatran Tiger, ‘Jaya’ and her female cubs, at Point Defiance Zoo.  ‘Kirana’, ‘Dari’, and ‘Indah’ seemed to be enjoying their beautification routine with mom. 

Photo Credits: Point Defiance Zoo

The cubs’ birth was part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, for Sumatran Tigers.

Only about 300 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Their numbers are dramatically dwindling due to poaching and habitat destruction, primarily for the growth of oil palms. There are just 80 Sumatran Tigers in North American zoos and approximately 400 in zoos worldwide.

The three cubs bring the total number of tigers at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to nine. In addition to ‘Jaya’ and her litter, the zoo is home to Sumatran Tigers ‘Malosi’ (the cubs’ father), ‘Bima’, ‘Dumai’ and ‘Kali’. Malayan tiger ‘Berani’ also lives in the zoo’s Asian Forest Sanctuary. The tigers rotate on and off a number of exhibits.