A pair of rare Amur tiger cubs, Andrei and Amaliya, made their public debut at the Minnesota Zoo on Wednesday. Born on May 23 to 12-year-old mother Dari, the cubs' first outdoor adventure marks a significant step in preserving the species. Zoologist Trista Fischer noted their readiness, as the cubs are now fully vaccinated and weigh about 40 to 45 pounds.
The Minnesota Zoo, located in Apple Valley, has a strong track record with Amur tigers, boasting 57 births, with 46 surviving past 30 days. The zoo now houses seven Amur tigers, including the new cubs' father, Luka. The Amur tiger population in the wild stands at roughly 400 to 500, recovering slightly from near extinction in the 1930s and 1940s, but remains under threats such as poaching.
Fischer, also the leading coordinator for the Tiger Species Survival Plan, emphasized the importance of this litter's genetic diversity. Plans include Andrei moving to separate housing at 18 months, while Amaliya might stay longer with Dari. Eventually, the decision will be made on whether the cubs should be bred, potentially continuing the efforts in another accredited zoo. Fischer expressed pride in the cubs' adaptability, adding, "They're showing a lot of resiliency."
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