LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Officials at Slovenia’s capital city zoo are celebrating three new arrivals that could help save one of the world’s most threatened species.
Three Siberian tiger cubs made their debut at the Ljubljana Zoo less than two weeks after their birth on May 27. The newborns represent a significant conservation victory for a species with only approximately 500 individuals surviving in their natural habitat.
These magnificent big cats face extinction primarily due to disappearing habitat and illegal hunting activities that continue to reduce their numbers.
The cubs’ parents, Arisa and Ussuri, have called the Ljubljana facility home since their 2004 arrival. Zoo officials say the birth followed extensive preparation and considerable optimism about the breeding program.
“We were not really expecting, but hoping, working on it because we have a good breeding pair,” she said. Despite introducing the pair during optimal timing, “we weren’t completely sure,” she added.
“So we were also a bit surprised and of course very happy,” Strus said.
Successfully reproducing wild species within captive environments presents numerous challenges and frequently fails to produce offspring.
The newborns remain extremely fragile and must stay separated from all individuals except their mother during this critical period. However, zoo personnel and guests can observe the family through live video feeds displayed on monitors.
Observers gathered around the screens showed obvious delight watching the mother tend to her offspring. Barbara Gallaido, visiting from San Francisco, described the experience as “really fabulous.”
“I’ve seen tigers in the wild in India, but not like this, not with cubs,” she said. “It was really great.”
Four-year-old Arisa is experiencing motherhood for the first time, and Strus reports she’s adapting excellently to her new role.
“She is constantly licking them (cubs,) breastfeeding them and they are resting together,” she said. “So far so good. But … we still need to wait and see what will happen.”
Strus explained that tiger offspring typically develop sight and hearing capabilities approximately two weeks following birth. The mother should bring her young outside their den for initial exploration when they reach one month of age.
