

The male Amur tiger cubs were born in the zoo's Asian Highlands to parents Basha and Kazek on June 2 and are part of a critically endangered species.

The cubs have been out of visitors' view while they were getting stronger and bonding with their mother, Basha, according to zoo spokeswoman Holly Braithwaite. They went on public display for the first time on Tuesday.

Braithwaite said Basha has quite a strong personality.

"They've adopted that same kind of personality," she said. "They're very playful. They're a bunch of boys."

This gives Hogle Zoo five Amur tigers on display, though because the cubs are male, they aren't likely to remain at the zoo permanently.

"They will typically go to other zoos," Braithwaite said.


The three cubs, weighing between 24 and 27 pounds, aren't named yet. That's a job the Hogle Zoo's animal-care staff will address soon.



"With first-time moms, we prepare ourselves to deal with the unknown. But Basha took on the three cubs like she was a natural; she was an extremely caring, protective, great mom from day one," said Hogle Zoo feline keeper Jill VanMilligen.

She added, "Basha was one of three cubs born at Hogle Zoo in 2003, and now, watching her become a mom herself is incredible."

This is the first time that the cubs' father, Kazek, who arrived at Hogle Zoo in 2006 from the Buffalo Zoo, has sired a litter.

The zoo's Amur tigers, formerly known as Siberian tigers, are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Tiger Species Survival Plan.




According to Kimberly Davidson, Hogle Zoo assistant director of programs, "this birth is a testament not only to Hogle Zoo's excellence in animal care but also our commitment to preserving Amur tigers."
