French Zoo Announces Birth of Two Endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs
It was an exciting day for a zoo in Amiens, France when their pregnant Sumatran tiger delivered not one but two tiger cubs recently. Amiens Metropolo Zoo called their births "a big plus" for conservation efforts. The zoo's veterinarian Pierre-Louis Fiszman said fewer than 400 individual Sumatran tigers remain in the wild today.
Just look at the cubs' gorgeous blue eyes! And they are so fluffy and adorable. I could watch them all day and wish the video was longer. Hopefully we'll see more of them in the news as they continue to grow.
Mama Menya gave birth to the two cubs on March 22nd. All of them are doing well and that the cubs will soon be exploring their new world. CBS News shared that the zoo named the cubs Rimba and Toba. Through the European Breeding Program of Sumatran tigers, this is Menya's second litter. At birth, the two weighed about 2 pounds, and now a month later, the cubs weigh about 9 pounds. They're growing quickly!
Related: Rare Footage of Twin Sumatran Tiger Cubs Emerging From Their Den Is Too Cute
Facts About Adorable Tiger Cubs
The first thing most people notice when seeing tiger cubs are those gorgeous blue eyes. Tiger cubs are born blind. They don't open their eyes until 6 to 12 days later and when they do open their eyes, they are that milky blue color. As the cubs grow, the color changes to the golden color that we all know and love. Interestingly, white tigers are the only ones that keep their blue eyes for their entire lives.
The cubs nurse from their mothers for the first six months. Around two to three months old, the cubs also start eating meat. While these guys won't have to worry about hunting for their food, tiger cubs in the wild start to hunt for themselves when they are about a year and a half old. Until then, they depend on their mothers (or in this case zookeepers) to feed them.l
Sadly, the IUCN red list categorizes Sumatran tigers as a critically endangered species. Their numbers have declined due to loss of habitat and deforestation caused by logging and agricultural practices especially for palm oil plantations in Sumatra. "Illegal hunting is also a threat, as these tigers are revered for their skins and considered a threat to livestock." Another sad fact about tigers in general is that due to disease, food scarcity, predators, and adult males attacking them, in the wild less than half will survive until adulthood.
Fortunately, zoos around the world are working diligently to help tiger numbers start to grow again. While these tigers will never be placed in the wild, at least future generations will be able to see them in real life. I know I look forward to watching them grow!
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