The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) announced on 2 October 2013 that an endangered Sumatran tiger Melati gave birth to the cub on 30 September 2013. The rare species of the tiger cub was born born six months after the new Tiger Territory at London Zoo was opened. The new Tiger Territory at London Zoo is designed for encouraging the breeding of critically endangered sub-species of Tiger.
The birth of the critically endangered cub species was observed through the hidden cameras. The zookeepers are yet not aware about the sex of the cub and the cub will also remain hidden from the public for a long time.
It is important to note that this is the first time in 17 years that a Sumatran tiger cub is born at the London Zoo.
About the Sumatran tiger
• The Sumatran tiger, also known as Panthera tigris sumatrae is the rare sub-species of Tiger which inhabits the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
• It is the critically endangered tiger sub-species and was declared so by the IUCN in the year 2008. In the year 2008, its population was estimated at 441 to 679 only and its subpopulation was not more than 50.
• It is the only surviving member of Sunda Islands group of tigers, which also included the Bali tiger and Javan tiger, both of which are now extinct.
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