CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo just announced the birth of two Amur tiger cubs at the zoo’s Rosebrough Tiger Passage.
In details shared Friday morning, zoo officials say the cubs were born earlier this month on Nov. 6 to mom, Zoya, and dad, Hector.
“The first few days after birth are a critical time for bonding between mom and cubs,” according to the Cleveland Zoo. “The Zoo’s Animal Care and Veterinary teams have observed several positive developmental behaviors including nursing and grooming.”
Jen DeGroot, an associate animal curator with the zoo, says they have set up the maternity den with cameras to monitor tigers remotely.
“While tigers are solitary animals, mother tigers typically raise their young for their first two years,” zoo officials explain. “Mom and cubs are expected to remain behind-the-scenes in their maternal den for the first few months before the cubs are old enough to begin exploring the outdoor habitats of Rosebrough Tiger Passage.”
DeGroot says Zoya and the cubs will stay inside the maternity den for the next several weeks.
"It will be about eight to 12 weeks before the cubs are big enough to venture outside.”
The gender of both cubs is currently unknown.
“Hopefully our next step will be to figure out what gender they are and do a physical exam at about eight weeks old," DeGroot says.
Amur tigers are an endangered species with an estimated population of only 400-500 remaining in their native range in the far eastern side of Russia and northeastern China.
“Visitors to Rosebrough Tiger Passage at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo can continue to visit Hector during this time and learn about the threats Amur tigers face including habitat loss and poaching,” the zoo notes.