Two Tigers Born, Mark Milestone for Conservation at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Two Sumatran tigers were born on March 6 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, marking the 24th and 25th birth of this critically endangered species since the Park opened in 1972.

     Only about 400 Sumatran tigers are left worldwide. They are the smallest of the tiger species, but once grown, males can weigh up to 220 pounds. The Safari Park is currently home to six Sumatran tigers and is fund-raising to build a new, forested tiger haven that will offer up-close views of these fascinating felines and highlight conservation efforts for the species. For more information visit www.sandiegozoo.org/tigers.

     The cubs are still too small to leave their den and are being attentively raised by their experienced mother, Delta. On Thursday, keepers gave Mom a short break to stretch her legs and get a little sun while they took the opportunity to socialize with the cubs. The 10- and 11-pound cubs are being desensitized to human touch in anticipation of vaccines and other necessary veterinary care.

     The cubs are only beginning to move around the den on their own paws. Keepers expect them to be more agile and ready to explore the outdoors in July.

     Tigers face many challenges in the wild, from loss of habitat to human-tiger conflict, but the biggest threat continues to be poaching. Tigers are killed by poachers, who illegally sell their body parts, mostly for folk remedies. People can help protect wild tigers by making smart consumer decisions to avoid products that harm tiger habitat and refusing to purchase items made from endangered wildlife.

     To learn more about tiger conservation visit the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Program website at www.mnzoo.org/tigerssp.