PREVIEW

Three critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs at West Midlands Safari Park are ready to be named after receiving their first health check and stepping outdoors for the very first time.

Born on Friday 17 January 2025 to 13-year-old mum Dourga, the tiny triplets - now eight weeks old - were confirmed to be two females and one male during their check-up. The Park’s experienced veterinary team conducted the examination, which included weighing the cubs, giving them their first vaccinations, and taking ID photos in preparation for their big outdoor debut.

Veterinary Surgeon Lindsey Baines said, “We are delighted that we have three healthy Sumatran tiger cubs. The vet team have been monitoring their development carefully since they were born, through the CCTV to ensure there were no issues. Their first health checks and vaccinations all went swimmingly, and they are developing as we would expect with no concerns.”

Veterinary Nurse Sarah Smith added, “The cubs have been showing their own characters recently and we really saw their feisty side during their examinations! We were thrilled to discover that we have two females and one male and loved watching them venture outside and explore for the first time on Monday. The next steps are a health check at 12 weeks, then they can venture into the wider ‘Tiger Tropics’ habitat.”

Now that the cubs’ sexes are confirmed, one of the females has been named Nova, meaning ‘new star’, in keeping with the Park’s 2025 naming theme of names beginning with ‘N’. The public will be invited to name the remaining two.

On Monday 17 March, the trio ventured outdoors for the first time, with mum Dourga and keepers close by. As the door to the outdoor cubbing area opened, Dourga stepped out first to check the surroundings, then returned to the cubs, ‘chuffing’ softly to encourage them to follow. Chuffing is a friendly, low sound used by tigers to greet or comfort each other.

One by one, three tiny, stripy faces peered out into the breeze. The male was first to step outside, belly low to the ground for caution, followed closely by his sisters. They were soon greeted by their older sibling, Lestari, who is nearly two and watched them curiously from the other side of the fence. Lestari also joined in the chuffing, running alongside the cubs as they explored their new habitat.

Guests arriving that day were thrilled to catch their first glimpse of the playful trio through new viewing areas along the outdoor space.

The birth of the cubs is a significant moment for the Park, as fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild, with only around 400 being Sumatran tigers. This makes them among the most endangered subspecies, facing ongoing threats from habitat destruction, human conflict, and illegal poaching.

The Safari Park’s Sumatran tigers are part of the EEP (EAZA Ex-Situ Programme), a European effort to conserve endangered species. The Park also supports WildCats Conservation Alliance and contributes annually to the Kerinci Seblat Tiger Protection Project in Indonesia, which works to safeguard wild tigers and their habitats.

Once the cubs complete their 12-week health check, they and Dourga will have access to the wider ‘Tiger Tropics’ habitat, where dad Nakal and sister Lestari currently reside.