'Critically Endangered' Species Gives Birth at San Diego Zoo

California’s San Diego Zoo is celebrating the milestone birth of two Sumatran tiger cubs.

In a press release issued last week, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance reported that the boy and girl cubs are the first of their “critically endangered” species to be born at the zoo since 2016.

The yet-to-be-named cubs were born on July 12. They “appear strong, and are nursing frequently” while their first-time mother, Diana, is said to be “extremely attentive and gentle.”

San Diego’s ABC 7 obtained footage of the cubs shortly after their birth.

Diana can be seen nursing the two cubs while she looks off calmly into the distance. At one point, she begins to groom one of her kin.

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Diana will remain with her cubs in their den for the next eight to 10 weeks, or whenever she feels they're ready to emerge. During this time, they’ll spend “critical” time bonding with their mother and learning behaviors from her.

“We are elated about the birth of these tiger cubs,” Lisa Peterson, the executive director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, said in the zoo’s statement. “It has been years since we’ve had cubs at Tiger Trail, and we can’t wait to share them with the community.”

“These births are so important to the conservation of this species,” Peterson continued. “Our hope is these cubs will provide an opportunity for our guests to gain a greater appreciation for tigers and the important need to conserve them in their native habitats.”

The announcement came just in time for Global Tiger Day, which was on July 29. According to the San Diego Zoo, there are only 400–600 Sumatran tigers left on Earth.