Sumatran Tiger cubs' debut at Perth Zoo

The birth of three cubs at Perth Zoo has boosted international efforts to save the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger, which is facing extinction with less than 400 left in the wild.

The 13-week-old cubs, two males and one female, made their public debut in Perth today after spending the first three months of their life bonding privately with their mother, Setia.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the cubs were part of an Australasian breeding program to increase bloodlines and contribute to international breeding efforts trying to save the Sumatran Tiger from extinction.

"The regional breeding program and conservation efforts in the wild are vital as the Sumatran Tiger is just one step away from extinction," Mrs Faragher said.

"The Australasian and European breeding programs are part of a global tiger conservation management initiative aimed at providing a crucial back-up population of tigers to support the survival and recovery of wild populations in the future.

"Eight years ago, Perth Zoo had its first breeding success with this species with a litter of three cubs. One of those cubs, Setia, is now the mother of these cubs.

"We hope that in the future these cubs, like their mother, will play an important role in the international breeding program.

"They are very important genetically to the breeding efforts with a relatively small worldwide captive population of 250 Sumatran Tigers.

"The cubs will also be important ambassadors for their species, highlighting the threats Sumatran Tigers face in the wild, in particular habitat loss and poaching, and raising awareness about what people can do to help save tigers and their habitat."

Weighing just 500 grams at birth, the cubs trebled their weight within 15 days, when their eyes opened for the first time.

The males, Satri (which means 'valiant hero' in Indonesian) and Jaya (Indonesian for 'victorious') now weigh just over nine kilograms, while their sister Melati (meaning 'jasmine') weighs nearly eight kilograms.

The cubs are still suckling but have just started to eat solids (meat).

"Setia is a wonderful, protective mother, grooming the cubs and setting them straight when they misbehave," Mrs Faragher said.

The cubs and their mother are now on display.  However, the youngsters are still quite shy and may not be visible at all times.

Members of the public can support tiger conservation by donating to Perth Zoo's fundraising program, Wildlife Conservation Action, which supports the conservation of Sumatran Tigers and other threatened species in the wild.

Background Information:

·      The cubs were born at Perth Zoo at 2.45am on August 20, 2008.

·      Their mother, eight-year-old Setia, was also born at Perth Zoo (in September 2000).

·      The father of the cubs is 12-year-old Hari who was transferred to Perth from Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve to breed with Setia. Hari will return to Cairns shortly.

·      The three cubs will stay at Perth Zoo for at least 18 months before they are transferred to new homes in Australia or overseas in line with breeding recommendations as part of the international breeding program.

·      The Sumatran Tiger is one of five surviving sub-species of tiger (Panthera tigris)

·      Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of the surviving sub-species.

·      The Sumatran Tiger is listed as Critically Endangered - that is one step away from extinction.

·      Found only on the island of Sumatra, the Sumatran Tiger is under extreme threat from deforestation by pulp and paper and palm oil industries, as well as the continuing illegal trade in tiger parts.

·      It is estimated that less than 400 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild in Sumatra.

Minister's office: 9213 7250