In remarkable closed-circuit television footage, Chester Zoo’s female Sumatran Tiger
Kirana gives birth to the first of two cubs on June 2. The cub appears about 30 seconds into the
video.
Photo Credit: Chester Zoo
Kirana’s mate, six-year-old Fabi, does not participate in
the birth at all, and in fact walks away during the event.
The gender of the two healthy cubs is not yet known. They will spend several weeks behind the
scenes with seven-year-old Kirana.
This is the second litter for Kirana, who also gave birth to
sisters Nila and Tila in 2011. Both of those cubs have moved to other European
zoos as part of a cooperative breeding program aimed at increasing genetic diversity
among these endangered cats.
Only about 400 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild on the Indonesian
island of Sumatra. Zoo breeding programs
could prove vital to the survival of this species, which is at great risk from
habitat loss and poaching.
See more photos below the fold.
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