Banham Zoo in Norfolk recently welcomed two adorable Amur tiger cubs, born to six-year-old mother Mishka on October 7.
This is Mishka’s first litter, and the zoo has just announced the cubs’ genders: one male and one female. With only about 500 Amur tigers left in the wild, this birth is significant for the endangered species.
The cubs’ arrival is part of the European Breeding Programme, which aims to help endangered species like the Amur tiger avoid extinction.
Mishka came to Banham Zoo from Woburn Safari Park in May, where she was matched with 13-year-old Kuzma, the resident male Amur tiger.
Amur tigers are the most giant big cats in the world, with males weighing up to 360 kilograms (56 stone 9 pounds) and reaching lengths of 2.3 meters (7 feet 6 inches).
They primarily inhabit forests in Russia and are known as solitary creatures with large territories. Due to their Siberian habitat, they have thick fur and a distinctive ruff around their jaws.
Banham Zoo’s keepers provided Mishka with a purpose-built cubbing box inside one of the dens, where she can care for her cubs away from predators and harsh weather.
According to Oliver Lewis-McDonald, the zoo’s team leader of carnivores, the cubs are doing well and have begun exploring their surroundings.
“The cubs are taking everything in their stride, confidently moving between all three of their inside dens,” he said. “The visitors do not faze them and have delighted everyone who has seen them so far.”
As the cubs grow, they are starting to explore the outdoor enclosure. They have met their father for the first time, though the introduction was slow to ensure the cubs’ safety.
Lewis-McDonald explained that the meeting was “done at Kuzma’s pace,” with the male tiger allowed to see the cubs through mesh before direct contact.
The zoo is excited to watch the cubs grow and see how their personalities develop. Although the female cub is slightly more confident and louder, it’s too early to tell how different they will become as they age.
With the cubs making regular appearances, visitors to Banham Zoo can look forward to seeing these playful additions as they continue to explore and grow.
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