News

Actions

VIDEO: Sumatran tiger cares for newborn cubs at National Zoo

Posted at 12:11 PM, Aug 08, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-08 12:26:40-04

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVR) – The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. posted video of its female Sumatran tiger, Damai, carrying for her newborn cubs. Damai gave birth to two cubs Monday, according to the zoo.

“It’s taken more than two years of perseverance getting to know Damai and Kavi and letting them get to know each other so that we could reach this celebratory moment,” zoo official Craig Saffoe said. “All I can do is smile because the team has realized our goal of producing critically endangered tiger cubs. Damai came to us as a young tiger herself, so it’s really special to see her become a great mom.”

Zoo keepers are using cameras to monitor Damai, giving her time to bond with her cubs. Zoo officials said the cubs would not be on “exhibit for several months.” You can watch the cubs using the zoo’s webcams.

Click here to see more pictures and read more about the cubs on the zoo’s flickr page.