It’s just over two weeks since Auckland Zoo’s Sumatran tiger Zayana’s two cubs were born, and we can now confirm that they are a male and a female!
Thanks to Zayana’s dedicated mothering, her twins are thriving - with the male now weighing 3kg (a 2kg increase since birth!) and the female, 2.3kg.
Yesterday Carnivore keepers Nick and Kristin and senior vet An were able to carry out a well-planned, albeit brief (just a few minutes) physical health check which included weighing the cubs - all while Zayana was inside enjoying a generous breakfast and some ‘mum time’.
“For a first-time 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 two-weeks 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”.