It’s just over two weeks since Sumatran tiger Zayana’s two cubs were born, and we can now confirm that they are a male and a female!

Yesterday our carnivore keepers and vets were able to carry out a wellplanned and brief health check which included weighing the cubs the male now weighs 3kg (a 2kg increase since birth!) and the female, 2.3kg all while Zayana was inside enjoying a generous breakfast and some ‘mum time’.

“For a firsttime mother, Zayana is doing a really amazing job. It’s through the training we’ve done and continue to do with her, and the trust that we’ve all developed, that we’ve been able to carry out this important health check while she remained totally relaxed,” says lead senior keeper Nick.
At twoweeks old, the cubs’ eyes are now fully open so they’re taking in the world around them. Nick describes their mobility as still “very wobbly”.

“Everything we’re doing to support Zayana is determined by her behaviour and what she is comfortable with, and we’re super stoked with how she and the cubs are doing. In the wild a Sumatran tiger mother will keep her cubs hidden in a closed den for up to two months – to protect them from danger and to support their health and growth.

“Zayana’s instinct is also to do this here in our zoo environment, which is very positive. For our visitors, this does mean that it may be another month or so before they can see the cubs and we therefore ask for everyone’s patience and understanding – the wait will be worth it!”

Head to www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/news to read more!