The Dallas Zoo announced the birth of two tiger cubs on Monday, December 27, on their Facebook page 21 days after the cub’s mother, Sukacita (Suki), a Sumatran tiger, delivered the pair on December 6.
The two cubs, a male, and a female made the 10-year-old male tiger Kuasa a father again. Neither of the cubs has been named yet. The male weighed in at about 2.4 pounds and the female about 2.2 pounds, the Dallas Zoo reports.
The new cubs join older sibling Sumini in the Dallas pride. As when Suki gave birth to Summi, she struggled with milk production.
“We were prepared for this possibility and were able to act very quickly to intervene and ensure the cubs’ survival,” the Dallas Zoo said. “Just like with Sumini, these cubs are receiving around-the-clock care from our incredible team of zoologists and veterinarians. Both cubs and mom are happy and healthy!”
National Geographic reports that Sumatran tigers can grow up to eight feet long, weigh up to 280 pounds, and have a lifespan of 15 years in the wild and 20 in captivity.
“Although hand-raising is never our goal, this unique situation allows us the rare opportunity to introduce Sumini to her siblings once they are big enough,” the Dallas Zoo stated. “This will allow all three cubs to get invaluable exposure to other tigers and learn the skills that only tigers can teach each other.”
The zoo said that Sumini and her siblings will be able to stay together until they start maturing, just as a litter would in the wild.
“With just 400-600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, each birth is a big victory for this critically endangered species, and we’re overjoyed to be able to contribute to the population once more with these wonderful arrivals,” the Dallas Zoo said.
