Business & Tech

3 Endangered Malayan Tiger Cubs Born at Busch Gardens

Scientists estimate that only 500 Malayan tigers remain in the wild.

Busch Gardens has welcomed new babies into its family.

Three endangered Malayan tiger cubs—two males and one female—were born at the amusement park on March 31, according to a Busch Gardens press release.

Each one weighs between six and seven pounds. They are the first Malayan tigers born at Busch Gardens and the first offspring for mother Bzui and father Mata, the release states.

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One of the male cubs is suffering from anemia and has developed a rare but benign skin condition that also occurs in both wild and domestic felines, according to the release. The cub is currently in serious condition and undergoing treatments with the park’s veterinarians.

The family is behind the scenes, monitored around the clock by the park’s animal care team. In about a month, the team will begin introducing the cubs to the park’s Jungala habitat.

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Scientists estimate that only 500 Malayan tigers remain in the wild, according to the release. They are found in the southern tip of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula.

Logging and the development of roads, as well as commercial poaching, have led to their endangerment, the release states.

“These newborn cubs will add to the genetic diversity of the Malayan tiger population and contribute to conservation efforts for the species,” the release states.

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The births are part of the park’s partnership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), according to the release. The mission of the SSP is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered, species populations within AZA-accredited facilities.

Although there are more than 50 Malayan tigers in the SSP, Malayan tiger cub births in managed care are rare, according to the release. There was only one in 2012.

Check out more babies at Busch Gardens:

  • Aardvark Born at Busch Gardens
  • Busch Gardens Welcomes Baby Rhino
  • Busch Gardens Welcomes Mongoose Lemur Twins
  • Busch Gardens Welcomes Baby Aardvark
  • 6-Foot Tall Baby Born at Busch Gardens
  • Busch Gardens Welcomes Baby Giraffe
  • Busch Gardens Baby Boom Continues
  • Busch Gardens Welcomes Two Newborns
  • 50-Pound Baby Born at Busch Gardens


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