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Growing Cubs at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Explore New Play Area
The rambunctious Sumatran and Bengal tiger cubs being cared for by the animal care staff at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are growing and thriving. The younger of the two male cubs, a Bengal tiger, now weighs 15.6 pounds; and his Sumatran tiger companion weighs 19.1 pounds. As they continue to grow, the Bengal tiger will eventually outweigh the Sumatran tiger by about 200 pounds.
The Bengal tiger cub is still receiving bottle feedings every three hours and is starting to eat some ground meat. The Sumatran cub is taking his formula mixed with ground meat from a bowl.
Since the cubs are doing so well together and are growing larger, keepers decided it was time for them to move to a larger room inside the Ione and Paul Harter Animal Care Center. Keepers placed new enrichment items in the room for the cubs to explore—including large climbing boxes with ladders, stuffed toys to tackle, and pillows and blankets to slide on. The room is also equipped with a special feature: a large, iron mesh window that is open to the outside. This window will provide the cubs with important enrichment, in the form of new sounds, sights and smells in the area outside the nursery.
There’s also a viewing area where Safari Park guests can stand when they come to see the cubs. So, for the first time, the cubs are able to not only see the guests, but they can also hear them.
The cubs will be available for viewing in this new area, inside the Animal Care Center at Nairobi Station, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If the cubs are not there, they may be taking a short “catnap” in their off-exhibit bedroom area, so check back.
San Diego Zoo Global works with government agencies to provide care and sanctuary for victims of wildlife trafficking. Animals, such as the Bengal tiger cub confiscated at the Mexico/U.S. Border that is now residing at the Safari Park, are brought to San Diego Zoo Global facilities for medical attention and specialized care. San Diego Zoo Global is committed to reducing demand for illegal wildlife products, as part of the organization’s broader efforts to end extinction.
Since the cubs are doing so well together and are growing larger, keepers decided it was time for them to move to a larger room inside the Ione and Paul Harter Animal Care Center. Keepers placed new enrichment items in the room for the cubs to explore—including large climbing boxes with ladders, stuffed toys to tackle, and pillows and blankets to slide on. The room is also equipped with a special feature: a large, iron mesh window that is open to the outside. This window will provide the cubs with important enrichment, in the form of new sounds, sights and smells in the area outside the nursery.
There’s also a viewing area where Safari Park guests can stand when they come to see the cubs. So, for the first time, the cubs are able to not only see the guests, but they can also hear them.
The cubs will be available for viewing in this new area, inside the Animal Care Center at Nairobi Station, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If the cubs are not there, they may be taking a short “catnap” in their off-exhibit bedroom area, so check back.
San Diego Zoo Global works with government agencies to provide care and sanctuary for victims of wildlife trafficking. Animals, such as the Bengal tiger cub confiscated at the Mexico/U.S. Border that is now residing at the Safari Park, are brought to San Diego Zoo Global facilities for medical attention and specialized care. San Diego Zoo Global is committed to reducing demand for illegal wildlife products, as part of the organization’s broader efforts to end extinction.
