Hidden cameras capture birth of rare tiger twins at Chester Zoo

Hidden cameras have captured a first glimpse of two rare Sumatran tiger cubs born at Chester Zoo.

The tiny twins were born to first time parents Kasarna and Dash on 7 January and the new family has since been bonding in their den – with all of their adorable early life antics caught by the zoo’s CCTV cameras.

Zookeepers say the new arrivals are yet to be sexed and will be named once they start to gain in confidence and venture outside, which experts estimate will be in early April.

Just 350 Sumatran tigers are thought to remain in the wild – making them one of the world’s rarest tiger subspecies. They are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - the most severe conservation category and highest priority.

According to carnivore experts, the birth is a significant step forward for the conservation breeding programme working to save the species from extinction.

Dave Hall, Carnivore Team Manager at Chester Zoo, said:

“We’ve been closely monitoring Kasarna on our CCTV cameras as she get to grips with motherhood and her first litter of cubs – it’s a real privilege and incredibly special to watch. She’s a great mum and is being very attentive to her new infants, keeping them snuggled up in the den and feeding them every few hours. It won’t be too long until they gain enough confidence to start venturing outside for the very first time as a family, which is really exciting.

“The birth of two more healthy Sumatran tiger cubs is another significant step forward in the long-term efforts to protect these incredible animals. One day, the pair will hopefully go on to themselves make a vital contribution to the endangered species breeding programme, which is now playing a critical role in preventing these majestic animals from becoming extinct.”

The expansion of unsustainable palm oil and coffee plantations has seen more than 90% of the Sumatran tigers habitat wiped out, bringing tigers into close conflict with the human population.

As a result, the carnivores are more exposed and often killed when they come into contact with villagers, farmers or livestock. The species is also heavily poached for its skin, bones and canine teeth, which are sold illegally on the traditional Asian medicine markets.

Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plants at the zoo, added:

“Today there are fewer than 350 Sumatran tigers living in the wild, so Kasarna’s two cubs are absolutely crucial to the survival of the species. They are the latest additions to an insurance population in conservation zoos that will be the driving force in preventing the Sumatran tiger from enduring the same fate as the Javan, Caspian and Balinese tigers, which have all sadly been wiped out forever.

“The arrival of the cubs is a real testament to the expertise and scientific work of our teams who, only last year, paired up female tigress, Kasarna, with a male Sumatran tiger, named Dash. They were coupled together based on their genetic make-up, age and character and this news is cause for real celebration among the global conservation community.”

In India and Nepal, the zoo’s conservationists are fighting to control illegal poaching and mitigate conflict between humans and tigers to improve the outlook for another subspecies, the Bengal tiger.
 

Sumatran tiger facts:

• Sumatran tigers have webbed paws, which make them excellent swimmers
• They have white spots on their ears which act as false eyes and make them appear alert from behind
• The Sumatran tiger’s stripes are closer together than other tigers
• Tigers usually hunt at night, around once a week
• Tigers are the largest of the big cats, and the largest carnivorous land mammal on Earth.
• The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all species of tiger
• Six subspecies of tiger remain with three having already gone extinct

Chester Zoo

• Chester Zoo (www.chesterzoo.org) is a world-leading conservation and education charity that’s committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of key conservation and environmental challenges.
• The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more than 27,000 animals and more than 500 species, is where this species-saving work is made possible
• As a not-for-profit, the zoo ploughs everything into its conservation mission, both here in the UK and around the world.
• It works with more than 3,000 species globally, including 140 international animal conservation breeding programmes, which are ensuring the survival of species on the very brink of extinction. It’s also home to five national plant collections, comprising of more than 1,000 species.
• Experts from the zoo are recognised by governments and NGOs across the world as leaders within the global conservation community. Currently, the zoo is saving species on behalf of the Bermudan, Spanish and Portuguese governments, among others.
• The zoo works with over 100 partners in more than 20 countries to recover threatened wildlife and restore habitats, including orangutans in Bornean rainforests, elephants and tigers in Indian grasslands, lemurs and frogs in Malagasy forests, rare fish in Mexican lakes and a host of species here in the UK.
• The zoo influences policy both in the UK and internationally, forcing governments worldwide to take action to halt the biodiversity crisis.
• Its millions of annual visitors and huge online communities are part of the educational, scientific and conservation jigsaw, empowering them to be part of solutions for wildlife, creating a future where nature can survive and thrive.
• Chester Zoo lives and breathes conservation – from its animal and plant care, to its scientific breakthroughs, to its policy work and its vital role in inspiring and educating people about the natural world and the impact humans have on it – creating and nurturing the conservationist in us all.

Pictured - CCTV cameras have captured the first glimpse of rare Sumatran tiger twins born at Chester Zoo.