The Fort Worth Zoo announced Friday that it has welcomed its first two Sumatran tiger cubs, a milestone in its breeding program for the critically endangered tigers.
The sisters, Barani and Malu, also mark the zoo’s first tiger births since 2008, when it welcomed Malayan tiger cubs.
Ndari raises her first cubs
First-time mother Ndari gave birth to the two female cubs on July 1. Rakan is their father.
At about a week old, the cubs weighed between 3 and 4 pounds and measured approximately 10 to 12 inches long. At 12 weeks, they weighed 18 and 20 pounds and measured between 25 and 29 inches, according to the zoo.
Keepers have monitored the cubs behind the scenes as they grow and bond with Ndari. The sisters have started learning to run, jump and climb, practicing their balance and exploring water.
They have also begun eating small amounts of meat while continuing to nurse frequently. Keepers say Ndari bathes, plays with and carries the cubs around the den.
Names reflect their personalities
Keepers named the smaller sister Barani, meaning “brave,” and describe her as a playful “spitfire” who frequently starts play-fights with Malu.
Malu’s name means “shy or reserved.” Keepers describe her as more independent and say she often seeks a neighboring barn stall when she wants to nap alone.
The names draw from Indonesian languages, reflecting the tigers’ native range on the island of Sumatra, according to the zoo.
Cubs support conservation efforts
Fewer than 650 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild, the zoo said, citing the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Habitat loss and deforestation threaten their survival.
The zoo participates in a cooperative breeding program with other North American zoos to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population in human care.
The zoo opened its Predators of Asia & Africa habitat in 2023, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The renovation doubled the tiger habitat’s size, enlarged its outdoor space and updated the behind-the-scenes barn, according to the zoo. Barani and Malu are its first tiger cubs.
Zoo hopes for public debut soon
Keepers want to ensure the cubs can navigate the expanded habitat and its water features before introducing them to visitors. The zoo hopes they will make their public debut in the coming weeks and plans to share updates on its website and social media.
“It’s always exciting to welcome new babies and watch them grow here at the Zoo,” Ramona Bass, chairman of the Fort Worth Zoo, said in the release. “But we’re hopeful that these cubs will inspire a new generation to learn about and care for their wild counterparts and the future of this critically endangered species.”
