This Saturday, September 2, visit the National Zoo ^[1] to say hello to the three newborn Sumatran Tiger cubs. One male and two females, they are the third litter for 13-year-old tiger Soyono. Soyono was born at the National Zoo and the cubs’ father, Rokan, was born at the San Antonio Zoo. Both parents can be found at the Great Cats Exhibit at the National Zoo.

Sumatran Tiger Cubs – 6 Weeks Old
Photo © Jessie Cohen, National Zoo

As of their July 20th health exam, the eight-week-old cubs each weigh between 13 and 16 pounds after weighing only about two pounds at birth on May 24, 2006.

This is the sixth litter of Sumatran Tigers born at the National Zoo. A great accomplishment, considering that the subspecies are critically endangered. Although the Sumatran Tiger faces few threats in the wild, they are victims of poaching and habitat destruction due to the value of their coats and pelts.

Visit the National Zoo/FONZ ^[2]website for updates, a journal on their development, and even a Tiger Cub Cam live web stream of the babies. They are currently in the process of naming the babies, after a short contest that ended earlier this month.

The name choices are:

Male cub:
Jati (JAH-tee) – teak wood
Bejo (ba-JOE) – lucky
Guntur (goon-TURR, rolled ‘r’) – thunder

First female cub:
Kamboja (kam-BOE-jah) - frangipani (a kind of flower)
Maharani (mah-hah-RON-ee) – queen
Mawar (mah-WAHRR, rolled ‘r’) – rose

Second female cub:
Kemala (ka-MAH-lah) – magic stone
Melati (ma-LAH-tee) – jasmine
Ndari (nDAR-ee) – pretty or beautiful