CLEVELAND — For the first time in 20 years, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has welcomed the birth of two endangered Amur tiger cubs.
The cubs, a male and a female, were born overnight between Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
Since their birth, the cubs have been bottle-fed five times a day and have been gaining weight while reaching developmental milestones, including opening their eyes and learning how to walk.
While tigers are solitary animals, mother tigers typically raise their young for their first two years, but it’s not uncommon for first-time mothers to become overwhelmed at the experience of motherhood.
After some observation, Zoya displayed minimal signs of maternal care, requiring the cubs to be raised separately with the help of zoo veterinary and husbandry care experts.
Amur tigers continue to be an endangered species, with an estimated population of only about 400-500 remaining in their native range in the far eastern side of Russia and northeastern China. Visitors to Rosebrough Tiger Passage at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo can learn about the threats Amur tigers face including habitat loss and poaching.
In a few months, once they gain strength and fitness, they will join mom, Zoya, and dad, Hector, at the Rosebrough Tiger Passage.
