Cincinnati Zoo's New Malayan Tiger Cubs Come Out To Play

By Tiffany Barnes 

Cincinnati, OH - The Cincinnati Zoo’s four Malayan tiger cubs, born March 21, are now ON DISPLAY in the Zoo’s Tiger Canyon. All four cubs, born to mom “Hutan” and dad “Jalil” have been spending time bonding with mom behind-the-scenes over the last 13-weeks and are ready to meet the public!

All four cubs still need a name! The public can enter the Zoo’s “Name the Tigers” contest and submit a name today by logging on to the Zoo’s website at www.cincinnatizoo.org. Contest ends July 17 and the winning name will be announced Friday, July 24. Winners will receive a Basic Level Family Membership to the Zoo.

“The birth of these cubs help to keep the North American population of Malayan tigers demographically healthy,” said Mike Dulaney, Cincinnati Zoo Curator of Mammals and Tiger Subspecies Coordinator with the SSP. “With small populations, such as the one we are dealing with here, as years go by it is important not to let the breeding population becoming too aged and risk losing the genetic diversity these animals represent. These cubs are a critical component to the long term health and diversity of the subspecies.”

The Cincinnati Zoo has had Malayan tigers since 1990 and has produced 28 cubs since that time, most recently in 2001. These are the first cubs for both mom, and dad. “Hutan” is six-years old and came to Cincinnati from the Fort Worth Zoo. “Jalil” is eight-years old and was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2001, but moved to the Alexandria Zoo when he was six-months-old. He returned to Cincinnati in November 2007.

WHAT: The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is one of six living subspecies of tiger. The Malayan tiger wears the characteristic striping pattern of black stripes on orange and white that provides excellent camouflage in the forest. Using its quiet stalking ability, a tiger will ambush large prey, often pouncing on it from the rear. Other than females with their young, tigers are solitary and come together only to mate. Each tiger defends its own territory from others of the same gender. Territories must be large to provide enough prey for a tiger to eat. As more and more forests disappear, tigers struggle to maintain a territory with sufficient prey. Currently, the Malayan tiger is considered endangered. There are 54 Malayan tigers living in North American AZA accredited zoos and it is estimated there are less than 1,000 remaining in the wild.

WHERE: Tiger Canyon, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It was recognized by Parents Magazine as #7 on the “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of "The 10 Best Zoos for Kids." Over one million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide.

To view Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-119-Cincinnati_Zoo_and_Botanical_Gardens