Proud Sumatran tiger enjoys Eskimo kiss with her newborn as endangered cubs make their first public appearance

By SIMON TOMLINSON



Getting nosey: Sumatran tiger Kirana enjoys a tender Eskimo kiss moment with her newborn youngster as they emerge from their den for the first time



Sumatran tiger Kirana gets up close and personal with her tiny cub as the youngster makes its way in the world at Chester Zoo.

The proud mum gave one of her three offspring a lift back to the den in her jaws as they made their first public appearance since their birth last month.

In other tender scenes, Kirana delighted visitors by giving one of her cubs an Eskimo kiss followed by a thorough cleaning with her tongue.



Cheek by jowl: Kirana gets her cub by the scruff of its neck as the month-old tiger learns its way in the world



They had been kept inside their enclosure as they adjusted to life together, but Kirana is now showing them off to the outside world.

Born to Kirana and father Fabi on October 22, their arrival has been cause for huge celebration at the zoo because there are perhaps only around 400 of the critically endangered species left in the wild.

Kirana and Fabi are part of the the European Endangered Species Programme which attempts to co-ordinate breeding between zoos and maintain genetic diversity.



Easy, tiger! The tiny cub is already developing a sense of aggression, although it may be some time before his bite is louder than his roar



Keeping it clean: Kirana makes sure her young'un is spotless during their first appearance in the outside world



Roars for thought: Mum daydreams while her offspring tries out its vocal chords



Tim Rowlands, the zoo's Curator of Mammals, said: 'Kirana is so far doing a brilliant job and is being a very attentive mum.

'It's estimated that there are just a few hundred (Sumatran tigers) left in the wild and only around 7per cent of their original habitat remains, which is why these triplets are so, so important.

'To think they're now part of a safety net in case wild populations go extinct is pretty remarkable and quite humbling.'



Delight: The arrival of this cub and its two siblings provides hope for the endangered species, of which there only an estimated 400 left in the wild



Don't get mouthy: Sumatran tiger Kirana gives one of her three cubs a lift back to the den in her huge jaws as the new family emerged from their enclosure at Chester Zoo to the delight of visitors



Sumatran tigers, as their name suggests, are only found on the Indonesia islands of Sumatra, where they continue to be poached for traditional medicine.

They are the smallest of all tigers alive today. Their stripes are narrower and closer together than on many other sub-species, which make them highly adapted to moving stealthily through dense forest.

Kirana and Fabi are part of the the European Endangered Species Programme which attempts to co-ordinate breeding between zoos and maintain genetic diversity.



source: dailymail

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Tiny tiger triplet too timid to take a bow

By OLIVER PICKUP



Scaredy cat: One of the two-month-old cubs hides in the foliage, away from the flashes of cameras at Taronga Zoo



If you went Down Under to this Australian zoo today, you would have been in for a triple surprise.

Because three extremely rare Sumatran tiger cubs were wowing both young and old visitors on their debut appearance at Taronga Zoo, in Sydney.

Two of the cute triplets were curious at all the human eyes tracked on them as they happily played beside their mother.

But one big scaredy cat was so timid it had to hide behind some foliage, away from the many camera flashes and excited children looking in to the enclosure.



With wide eyes the two-month-old cub wonders who on earth all the people taking photos are



Mummy's favourite: Two of the more curious cubs perch by their mother, under the gaze of the many viewers



The mother, Jumilah, took the attention in her stride, and perhaps her two-month-old cubs have been keeping her busy as at one point she produced a yawn which showed her huge mouth.

She gave birth to the two male and one female cubs on August 20, after mating with father Satu.

And the cubs will only be on show for short periods of time, as they tire very quickly for the moment, but as they age, they will spend more time on view in their enclosure.



Sumatran tiger Jumilah enjoys a big yawn and shows all her teeth - her little ones are obviously tiring her out



Sumatran tigers can only be found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra - the only remaining stronghold for tigers in the country.

Experts estimate that there are just 400 such tigers left in the wild - and only 7 per cent of their original habitat remains, which is why these triplets are so important.



Jumilah is seen playing with one of her cubs on display at Taronga Zoo



Here's licking at you, kid: Mother Jumilah is seen pruning one of the tiny cubs



Louise Ginman, carnivore supervisor at Taronga Zoo, said she was purring with delight that all three tigers are healthy and strong, after Satu had been flowing in from Europe to breed with Jumilah.

'Satu was brought to Taronga from Germany as part of the international zoo breeding program for Sumatran tigers to mate with our Taronga-born female Jumilah and introduce new genetics to our region,' she told Manly Daily.

'The female cub is really cheeky, with a lot of attitude and is the first one to check out new things.



'The boys are more cautious, but they’re growing in confidence and body size each day, now tipping the scales over 6kg each.'

Ms Ginman continued: 'There are only about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, so to see them here at Taronga and know that they are part of a safety-net in case wild populations go extinct is pretty remarkable.'







source: dailymail

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Two months old Sumatran tiger cubs play in their exclosure.

Two months old Sumatran tiger cubs play in their exclosure on September 2, 2011 in Prague Zoo in the capital city.







Two-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs play at their enclosure in Prague zoo, September 2, 2011.







A two month old Sumatran tiger cub plays with its mother in their exclosure on September 2, 2011 in Prague Zoo in the capital city.







Two months old Sumatran tiger cubs play in their exclosure on September 2, 2011 in Prague Zoo in the capital city.







Two-month-old Sumatran tiger cub plays with his mother at its enclosure in Prague zoo, September 2, 2011.







Two-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs play at their enclosure in Prague zoo, September 2, 2011.



source: daylife

photo: Reuters pictures

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The purr-fect friendship: Boy, 9, breaks down barriers with giant tiger

By MATT BLAKE

Optical illusion: Despite how it may look, there is an invisible pane of glass between Harvey Evans and Kelabu the Sumatran Tiger


But with her eyes half closed and ready to sleep, Kelabu seems to enjoy the attention all the same.

With springtime temperatures continuing to soar, the four-year-old tiger, has taken to lounging around in a shady patch next to a window at Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey.

Gazing sleepily into each other's eyes, it looks like the purr-fect friendship between boy and beast.

But despite how it may look, there is still one barrier Harvey Evans, nine, and Kelabu the Sumatran Tiger have yet to break down.... an invisible pane of glass keeping them apart.

Although Harvey appears to have got so close that he can pat the fearsome cat on the head, the clever nine-year-old has in fact created an optical illusion with his hand and a well-placed camera.


A cat's life: Kelabu appears to enjoy the attention as Harvey, nine, and six-year-old Rosanna Bucci give her a 'stroke'


Visitors to the theme park's zoo have flocked to catch a close-up glimpse of Kelabu and her mother Ratna as they laze about in the glorious April weather.

It is estimated that there are only 300 of these beautiful creatures left in the wild, found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.


Popular: Visitors have flocked to Chessington World of Adventures' zoo to catch a close-up glimpse of Kelabu and her mother Ratna as they laze about in a shady patch by the window


Their teeth and rich striped coats make a valuable prize for poachers in the region making them one of the most endangered species of cat in the world.

No two tigers will ever have the same stripes – they are as unique as the human fingerprint. Most tigers will have more than 100 stripes across their body.

And even if one were to shave off all their fur, they would still have them on their skin.


source: dailymail

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Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo

Veterinary technician Jessica Sosa and veterinary technician Peter Flowers perform an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.




Veterinarians look at the paws as they perform an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.




Veterinarians look at the mouth and teeth as they perform an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.




Veterinary technician Jessica Sosa puts drops in the eyes as she performs an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.




Veterinary technician Peter Flowers (R) draws blood as they perform an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.



An ultrasound monitor shows the abdomen as veterinarians perform an examination on Soy, an 18-year-old Sumatran tiger, during a routine checkup at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington, DC, February 24, 2011. The tiger receives a physical exam, complete with dental cleaning, x-rays, ultrasounds and blood work, every one to three years.


source: daylife
photo: Gettyimages

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Sumatran tiger licks on ice filled with meat

Manning a 12 year old Sumatran tiger licks on ice filled with meat in his enclosure covered with man made snow at the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday Feb. 5,2011. Forecasters at the National Weather Service predict Southern California highs in the upper 60s and low 70s today, then warmer on Sunday.


source: daylife
photo: AP photo

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