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RussianSumatran Tiger Cubs Update!
Posted at 2:53 pm April 27, 2007 by Marcia Redding
It’s time for a tiger report! Our litter of three, born at the Wild Animal Park on December 5, 2006, are developing nicely (photo is from March). The biggest news is that they now have names. The liveliest female is called Sari, which means “essence.” Her quieter sister is named Kemala, which means “magic stone,” and the only male is called “Rojo,” which means “King.”
Mom Delta continues to be an exemplary mother, standing back and allowing us to feed the cubs through the training mesh. The babies are eating carnivore diet and beef heart now, just like the big tigers.
I know everyone is anxious to see these striped bundles, and we are working towards our goal of having them on exhibit. Those of you who are familiar with our tiger exhibit know that it is very large, over 3 acres, and encompasses some territory that is steep and rough. This is great for the adults, but we need to be sure the cubs are large enough to negotiate the terrain safely. We are also working on training the cubs to come when called. Until we’re sure we will be able to get them back into the house, we can’t release them. They are catching on quickly, but still need some work. Their patient mother, Delta, tries to help by chuffing to them when we want them to shift somewhere, but baby tigers are much more independent than lion cubs. Sometimes they just don’t listen to mom!
I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted on the cub’s progress. Hopefully they will be ready for their debut soon!
Marcia Redding is a senior keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
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April 27th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Nice To Know That The Tigers Have A Lot Of Space!!!!!!!!!!
I live in Canada and I can’t come see the cubs. I hope you can have a tiger Cam. Also the same with the lions(they are my favorite animal).
What are the weights of the cubs.
Can you make a tiger cub gallery like you did with the lions.
How are lions? I know it’s been sad about Mandisa but can you make an article on the 4 other cubs? Is the other lioness without cubs pregnant?
April 28th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Thanks for the update on the tiger cubs. I love to watch the 3 cubs at NZP play. The love to pounce on each other. I have read that tigers spent a majority of their time sleeping. I have observed that as the NZP cubs approach their first birthday they rest more and more. They wore out the grass and bamboo in their exhibit so it had to be replanted. Three acres with lots of places to hide and run and jump would be paradise for a tiger cub. It is amazing how fast they grow. They look almost as big as their mother sometimes from the camera views of them. I am waiting to see how they like swimming in the moat like their brothers did two years ago.
Like the WAP trio, there are two girls and a boy, and they are equally playful and “rough.” Their mom likes to get a break from them sometimes and have a well deserved nap while they play. However, she doesn’t get to sleep for long before she is out on the “prowl” to check up on them and to get involved in some of the pouncing training herself.
May 1st, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Thank you for the update on the 3 cute and wonderful little tiger cubs! I can hardly wait until the day comes when you can safely let them out and we can watch them in action. I am glad to hear they are doing well and they are learning so much.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Marcia, what a great morning for me. Getting ready for work the news was on and I heard the words tigers and San Diego zoo, and lo and behold there was three of the most gorgeous Sumatran tigers making their media debut. they explained how long it’s been since any have been born here and how endangered they are, They are surely going to be the darlings of the visitors. i know that all of you are going to have your hands full because they are a lively bunch.
June 1st, 2007 at 1:17 pm
How about an update on the three tiger cubs and their pending debut on exhibit?
The three tiger cubs at NZP just turned one and it is hard to remember their debut in September. They were very lively and dessimated the vegetation in their exhibit. It will be interesting to see how Delta’s cubs do with their exhibit. Now that the NZP cubs are a year old, and sleep a lot more, it will be great to keep up with the SD trio. Any chance of getting a lion and tiger cam to watch them grow up?
July 13th, 2007 at 7:48 am
EXcuse me , but I was wondering you are celebrateing the lion cubs’ 1st birthday!!!!! There has been a lion update in months!!!! *cry*
December 24th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Aw! Tigers! I adore tigers! In Tyler, Texas they got Golden Striped Tigers! There are only, like, 300 of those in the whole world. It’s good that there are more tigers in the world