Endangered tiger numbers boosted by 3: 20-06-2008
Auckland Zoo has confirmed that the endangered Sumatran tiger has taken three small steps toward survival in the shape of three new cubs born within the last week.
Keepers deliberately kept their distance to allow the mother, Molek, to bond with what they thought was a single cub, but it has now emerged that the Zoo is home to triplets.
The first cub was spotted on June 12th, with a second sighted a few days later.
But keepers Sandra Rice and Justine Woosnam checked on the family on Wednesday (June 18th) and discovered one cub suckling and another two cuddling up to their mother.
"For a first-time mum with what we now know are triplets to care for, she's very in control and confident, and doing all the right things, including eating well to ensure she keeps her strength up," says keeper Sandra Rice.
Section leader Andrew Coers said: "In light of the fact that there are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers in the wild, and just 160 in captive (zoo) facilities, the birth of these cubs really is a huge deal, not just for New Zealand, but internationally."
The endangered species will continue to be bred in captivity until such time as a protected area of habitat is established for reintroduction into the wild.