Love & Cute | March 7, 2023 5:04 AM | hangbony
Mom Has Her Paws Full With Tiger Triplets
Jaya the Sumatran Tiger has her paws full as she keeps up with her three cubs, born on October 8 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Introduced on ZooBorns a few months ago, the three female cubs, named Kirana, Dari, and Indah, weighed between 2.5 and 3 pounds at birth. They now weigh about 22 pounds each and are beginning to eat small amounts of meat in addition to mother’s milk.
The cubs are starting to show distinct personalities. Kirana is the “sassy” one who likes to run after her sisters and nip at them. Dari is mellow and tends to hang back a bit. Indah is feisty and vocal, often using her voice to get attention from Jaya.
Kirana, Indah, and Dari represent a success in the Species Survival Plan for Sumatran Tigers. Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers exist in the wild on their native island of Sumatra, and their numbers are dwindling due to habitat loss and poaching. Only about 80 Sumatran Tigers live in United States zoos.