LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A rare Sumatran tiger cub has been born at the Louisville Zoo.
In a news release Tuesday, the zoo said its the first such birth in 20 years. The cub was born at at 7:40 p.m. July 23. The cub is an offspring of 16-year-old male Kami Sambal and 14-year-old female Jingga. Both the mother and cub are being cared for by zoo staff that said Jingga is showing all the appropriate behaviors of an experienced mother by grooming, nursing and carrying the newborn.
For now, the cub is behind the scenes and bonding with its mom, but plans are being made for a public viewing soon. Guests are invited to follow updates and watch the tiger cub’s first weeks by viewing the zoo's Tiger Cub Cam at louisvillezoo.org/cubcam.
Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered. Fewer than 400 are estimated to still survive in the wild. Found only on Sumatra, their habitat is threatened primarily by development for palm oil plantations.
The last Sumatran tiger cubs born at the Zoo were Leela, Jai, and Mohan in April 2004, followed by two Amur, or Siberian tiger cubs, Irisa and Anya, in October of the same year.
"It's been a long time since the zoo has welcomed a tiger cub to our extended family, and we are all excited by the arrival of this rare and endangered youngster," Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said in a news release.
According to the zoo, to ensure Jingga and her cub are able to bond successfully during this important time, keepers will respect their privacy. That means it will be several weeks before the zoo knows the sex of the cub.
A naming contest for the cub sponsored by Norton Children's will be announced in the coming weeks.
Guests can also "adopt" the tiger cub through a special ADOPTS package, which includes a mom and cub plushie, an adoption certificate, the adopter’s name listed on the Zoo’s website, a colorful Zoo magnet and two admission passes to visit to the Louisville Zoo — all for $99.
Visit louisvillezoo.org/adopts for more information and to purchase.
More Stories about the Louisville Zoo:
- Louisville Zoo welcomes new 11-year-old western lowland gorilla
- 'They're adorable' | Koalas settle into new home, now on exhibit at Louisville Zoo
- Louisville Zoo elephants Mikki and Punch retiring to sanctuary in Tennessee
- Louisville Zoo receives national recognition as a 'gold standard' in animal care
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