Fort Worth Zoo announces births of two Sumatran tiger cubs

The births of the tiger cubs mark the time a member of this critically endangered subspecies was born in Fort Worth Zoo history

The Fort Worth Zoo has announced the births of two female Sumatran tiger cubs.

According to the Fort Worth Zoo, this marks the first time Sumatran tiger cubs, which are critically endangered, have been born at the zoo.

They are also the first tiger cubs born in the renovated Predators of Asia & Africa tiger habitat, which opened in 2023, and the first tiger cubs born at the Zoo in nearly two decades, zoo officials said. The last tiger cubs born at the Zoo were the Malayan subspecies born in 2008.

The sisters were born on July 1 to first-time mother Ndari and father Rakan. According to zoo officials, at just 1 week old, they weighed about three to four pounds and measured about 10 to 12 inches long. At 12 weeks old, they now weigh 18 pounds and 20 pounds, respectively, and measure about 25 to 29 inches long.

Zoo officials said the tiger cubs have been spending time behind the scenes growing and bonding with their mother while zookeepers keep a close eye on their growth and development. Over the last several weeks, the cubs have learned to jump, run, and climb. They have also started eating meat, practicing their balance, being exposed to water, and playing with each other and Ndari.

As a first-time mother, Ndari is exhibiting ideal maternal behaviors, including allowing frequent nursing opportunities and bathing, playing with and carrying the cubs as she moves about the den, the Fort Worth Zoo said.

According to zoo officials, the cubs have been given names inspired by their demeanor and behavior. For the smaller sister, Barani means "brave," as she is described by her keepers as a "spitfire," often playing and initiating play-fights with her sister.

The other sister is named Malu, which means "shy or reserved." Her keepers say she is more independent and often seeks alone time in a neighboring barn stall to nap.

The names Barani and Malu are inspired by Indonesian languages, reflecting the native range of the Sumatran tiger on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, zoo officials said.

"It's always exciting to welcome new babies and watch them grow here at the Zoo," said Ramona Bass, chairman of the Fort Worth Zoo. "But we're hopeful that these cubs will inspire a new generation to learn about and care for their wild counterparts and the future of this critically endangered species."

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, fewer than 650 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild, primarily due to habitat loss and deforestation.

The Fort Worth Zoo's expanded and enriched tiger habitat in Predators of Asia & Africa opened in 2023 and doubled the size of the previous tiger habitat. Zoo officials said the enlarged yard and renovated behind-the-scenes barn allowed the zoo to renew its focus on conservation work for this species.

The zoo participates in a cooperative Sumatran tiger breeding program with other North American zoos to ensure a genetically diverse, healthy population of this subspecies, and the two new cubs will contribute to this growing population in managed care, zoo officials said.

According to zoo officials, zookeepers want to ensure Barani and Malu are strong enough to navigate the new space, as they are the first cubs born in the new habitat.

Zoo officials said they are hopeful the cubs will make their public debut in the coming weeks and will share updates on the zoo's website and social media.