Louisville Zoo's 3-month-old Sumatran tiger cub makes his public debut

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Let us introduce you to the Louisville Zoo's newest and cutest resident.

The zoo's tiger cub made his debut Tuesday after weeks of bonding with his mother, Jingga.

He is a 3-month-old male Sumatran tiger, a species that is critically endangered. The cub is the first Sumatran tiger to be born at the zoo in 20 years.

For now, visitors can see the cub and his mother on exhibit Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays while he gets used to seeing visitors.

"We even practiced having some of the crew out and running around and making noise so that he wouldn't be scared or surprised when there is a bunch of kids banging on the glass," Jill Katka, assistant mammal curator, said. "He actually seems to enjoy right now interacting with some of the kids."

The cub still doesn't have a name, but the Zoo is holding a contest to pick one. There are three name choices to choose from:

Satu means "one" in Indonesian, and that every cub is important with the species being endangered.
Saya Sambal honors the cub's father, Kami Sambal, who died in August. Kami Sambal means "we are spicy sauce," referring to a tiger's wild manner. Saya Sambal means "I am spicy sauce."
Kaji is a combination of his parents' names, Kami and Jingga.

To cast your vote for Name the Tiger Cub, click here. Voting ends Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 11 p.m., and the winning name will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10:30 a.m.

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