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Two Rare Sumatran Tiger Cubs Were Born in London This Week
By Anna Green
Congratulations are in order for two Sumatran tigers at the ZSL London Zoo. The organization announced yesterday that, this week, 7-year-old tigress Melati safely gave birth to two tiny twin cubs, and her mate Jae Jae has already started bonding with the babies.
The birth is big news for ZSL zookeepers and for conservationists everywhere. Sumatran tigers are a critically endangered species with a wild population estimated to be as low as 300. They are also the smallest surviving tiger subspecies.
ZSL has been working in London and Indonesia for over a decade to protect Sumatran tigers and ensure the survival of the subspecies. The birth of two new cubs is a major victory for the organization.
“ZSL has been in Sumatra for more than 14 years, working with our government counterparts to increase the protection of Sumatran tigers,” country manager Andjar Rafiastanto explains on the zoo's site. “The birth of these two tiger cubs brings us hope for their long-term survival.”
Zookeepers managed to capture the birth and early moments of the cubs’ lives on hidden cameras. Watch above as Melati and Jae Jae bond with their cubs, and keep checking the ZSL YouTube Channel for more videos of the twins as they grow up.
Banner Image Credit: ZSL - Zoological Society of London, YouTube
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