Rare tiger cubs in playful mood after emerging from their den for the first time
Sumatran tiger cubs were caught for the first time having a bit of playful rough and tumble outside their den at Chester Zoo.
Twin female cubs Alif and Raya were born at the zoo in January but have only just ventured out to explore the world under the watchful eye of mum Kasarna.
Conservationists hope their birth can provide hope to one of the world’s rarest tiger species which is listed as critically endangered in the wild.
Dayna Thain, carnivore keeper at Chester Zoo, said: ‘These majestic animals are hanging on to survival by a thread in Sumatra.
‘They’re one of the world’s rarest tiger subspecies and so to see these two cubs thriving here is absolutely wonderful.
‘It’s a real joy to get a glimpse of the cubs exploring and enjoying some playful rough and tumble together.
‘The cubs are still a little shy and pop in and out of the den with mum Kasarna, but it’s going to be a real privilege to watch as they grow in confidence and their feisty personalities really start to show through.
‘Recently, we discovered them both to be female and have named them Alif and Raya.
‘Crucially, with so few Sumatran tigers left on the planet, Kasarna’s girls are vitally important additions to the conservation breeding programme which is working tirelessly to prevent the species from becoming extinct.’
Raya was named after Mount Raya in Sumatra, Indonesia, and Alif is a popular name in the country.
Just 350 Sumatra tigers remain on the Indonesian island, and are found across patches of forest.
Habitat loss, hunting pressures and human-wildlife conflict are pushing the big cats ever closer to extinction.
Increasing human population has seen more than 90% of the species wiped out because the tigers come into conflict with locals, farmers and livestock.
They are also poached for their skin, bones and canine teeth which are sold around Asian medicine markets.
The zoo says it is helping to fight poaching abroad and is part of an international conservation breeding programme which aims to protect the species, boosting numbers and safeguarding its future on the planet.
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