By: Laila Schwin, Brittney Corrado, and Alisha Bains
April 23, 2021
After waiting over 20 years, visitors are finally able to visit tiger cubs at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The three cubs were all born this past December. As the cubs adjust to their new habitat, visitors will be able to see them every day between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
The three cubs are being raised in a social group of two endangered subspecies of tigers. Two of the cubs were born here in Cleveland, and the third joined the pair from the Tulsa Zoo. The two born here are Amur tigers named Luka and Anya, and the one from the Tulsa Zoo is a Malayan tiger named Indrah, who joined the other cubs to allow for social and behavioral development along with interaction.
The cubs made their debut shortly after hitting some major milestones like transitioning to a meat diet, hitting a weight of 30 pounds, and developing strength and agility skills within their interactions with one other. Luka and Anya have been very interactive and up-close with the guests during their free roam times. Indrah, however, has preferred indoor areas with less attention. Soon enough, the cubs will be able to be outside full-time in the Rosebrough Tiger Passage.
Amur tigers are an endangered species, and Malayan tigers are considered to be critically-endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Amur tigers have an estimated 450 animals left in their natural habitat, and Malayan tigers have even less at an estimated number between 250 and 340 worldwide. The presence of baby tigers, even in captivity, is a good sign. Even if it is just a slight change, conservation efforts allow for them to be born, and this is a gift in itself.
The Rosebrough Tiger Passage includes four interconnected habitats for the family of tigers to explore. Visitors can learn about the threats to tiger species and what they face including habitat loss and poaching. This exhibit provides a safe place for a species whose lives are threatened and habitats destroyed.
The gift of life is a miracle, and each animal deserves to be happy, healthy, and safe.
Go visit the three new tiger cubs at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Remember, Mondays are free admission.
On a side note, Mr. Holko wants to adopt all three of these tiger cubs as his pets. What could possibly go wrong?
{Information for this article was retrieved from Clevelandmetroparks.com and Cleveland.com.}
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 