Extremely rare big cat welcomes 2 cubs at Tennessee zoo. See the adorable photos

Irene Wright
·2 min read
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In a milestone birth, the Memphis Zoo has welcomed two additions to their animal family.

The zoo’s 8-year-old Sumatran tiger Dari became a first-time mom on May 5 to two cuddly cubs, the zoo announced May 19.

Zoo officials first teased the announcement with a riddle in a Facebook post.

“Ruling with power and strength, they are royalty wherever they roam. Over 9,000 miles away from Memphis, within our care they made a home. And though there be but few remaining, really soon, we will reveal two more that need naming,” the post read.

Now, the big news is official.

“We are thrilled to announce the birth of these two Sumatran tiger cubs – a critically endangered species. The symbol of the tiger is synonymous with pride and community here in Memphis, and I have no doubt the city will join us in the celebration of these significant births,” Chief Zoological Officer Courtney Janney said in a Facebook post.

Dari became a first time mom when she welcomed two cubs on May 5, zoo officials said.
Dari became a first time mom when she welcomed two cubs on May 5, zoo officials said.

The cubs are the first Sumatran tigers to be born at the zoo since 1998, birthed by Dari’s grandmother more than 25 years ago, zoo officials said.

Sumatran tigers are the most critically endangered species of tiger, zoo officials said, making the new cubs incredibly important to the preservation of their species.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates there are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, living exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

“At one time, there were nine subspecies of tigers on the planet, and that number is now down to six due to habitat loss and poaching,” zoo officials said. “The Sumatran tiger is in dire need of assistance.”

Zoo officials shared a video of the tigers’ birth and said Dari was settling well into motherhood.

At one point in the video, Dari moves one cub to be closer to its sibling and zoo officials say she started nursing her cubs within an hour of their birth “demonstrating herself to be a wonderful and attentive mother to her new cubs!”

Zoo guests won’t be able to see the cubs in person until they are 3 months old, but in the meantime the zoo has set up a livestream for the public to check in on the currently unnamed cubs’ progress.

The birth of the cubs is a “milestone” for the species.
The birth of the cubs is a “milestone” for the species.

“As the last of the island tigers, preserving Sumatran tigers is critically important. Sumatran tigers are managed collaboratively in breeding programs by accredited zoos globally,” Memphis Zoo West Zone Curator Dan Dembiec said in the post. “So, the birth of tiger cubs here at the Memphis Zoo is a milestone with a worldwide impact.”

The Memphis Zoo now houses four Sumatran tigers including Dari, her two cubs and the cubs’ father, 5-year-old Gusti.

Extremely rare creature born at Tennessee zoo. Take a look at the adorable photos

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