Minnesota Zoo Celebrates the 'Historic' Birth of 2 Endangered Tiger Cubs
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota has a lot to celebrate after a "historic" birth welcoming two endangered Tiger cubs into the world.
On September 4, 2024, the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota shared the happy news about the "historic" birth of two Tiger cubs. Take a look!
In a quick video shared to Instagram, Como Park Zoo shared a really cute Reel welcoming two Tiger cubs.
Related: Tiger Cub Triplets at Saint Louis Zoo Enjoy Their Very First Swim
"We are thrilled to announce the birth of two critically endangered Amur tiger cubs on the morning of August 29th," the zoo wrote.
"These cubs — a male and a female — are the first tigers born at Como Zoo in more than 41 years, marking a historic and exciting moment for the zoo and its conservation efforts," the zoo concluded in the caption of their video shared.
"This is an extraordinary milestone for Como," the zoo's director, Michelle Furrer, told CBS News.
"The birth of these tiger cubs is not only a testament to the dedication and expertise of our animal care team but also a beacon of hope for the conservation of Amur tigers worldwide."
The mom, 7-year-old Bernadette is doing well, and while she won't be seen by visitors for a bit while she bonds with her cubs, the care team will keep watch and make sure she has everything she needs, and her cubs, too.
In the comment section, people were excited to see the new cubs, and are happy that their birth went well.
One wrote, "Oh my god! Sending Bernie all my love, from the Oregon Zoo. I used to clean her glass when she was here."
Someone else shared, "This was so good. Miss you all and congratulations!"
Another wrote, "Yaaaaaaas!!! Congrats!!"
One added, "Congratulations! That is sooo exciting!"
Another TikTok user added, "Omg I’m going to have to plan a visit now!"
Facts About Amur Tigers
According to the Wildcats Conservation Alliance, Amur Tigers, also known as Siberian Tigers, are among the largest cats in the world.
"The average weight for males is 160-190 kg, while females are smaller, at 110-130 kg," the alliance explained. "Males, females, and cubs can be distinguished by their tracks: a male’s paw pad measures 10.5 – 14.5 cm across, a female’s 8.5 – 9.5. cm, and a cub’s – from 5.5 – 10 cm."
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Amur Tigers are critically endangered. The most recent assessment estimates the population to be around 265 to 486 worldwide.
"In Russia, key threats to both the Amur tigers and leopards are almost identical, as a result, both are considered Critically Endangered species, predominantly due to human activities including poaching, development, and conflict situations," the Wildcats Conservation Alliance explained.
