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Sumatran tiger cub born at San Francisco Zoo Sumatran tiger cub born at San Francisco zoo
(about 7 hours later)
A Sumatran tiger named Leanne has given birth to a cub at San Francisco Zoo in a rare boost to the critically endangered subspecies. A Sumatran tiger named Leanne has given birth to a cub at San Francisco zoo in a rare boost to the critically endangered subspecies.
There are estimated to be as few as 400 Sumatran tigers in the wild and zookeepers are monitoring the pair in the zoo's secluded Lion House via webcam to allow the nine-year-old mother to bond with her baby.There are estimated to be as few as 400 Sumatran tigers in the wild and zookeepers are monitoring the pair in the zoo's secluded Lion House via webcam to allow the nine-year-old mother to bond with her baby.
"All signs seem to be positive so far," said Corinne MacDonald, San Francisco Zoo curator of carnivores and primates. "All signs seem to be positive so far," said Corinne MacDonald, San Francisco zoo curator of carnivores and primates.
"Mom and cub are bonding," she said, adding the cub appeared to be healthy and was active and eating a lot."Mom and cub are bonding," she said, adding the cub appeared to be healthy and was active and eating a lot.
The cub is the first tiger born at the San Francisco Zoo since 2008 when Leanne delivered a litter of three males. Those cubs were transferred to zoos across the United States. Before 2008 the zoo had not had a tiger birth in 30 years. The cub is the first tiger born at the San Francisco zoo since 2008 when Leanne delivered a litter of three males. Those cubs were transferred to zoos across the United States. Before 2008 the zoo had not had a tiger birth in 30 years.
Zoo staff will not be able to announce the gender of the newborn until its first examination at least two weeks from now.Zoo staff will not be able to announce the gender of the newborn until its first examination at least two weeks from now.
"These births are definitely rare," said Dr Tara Harris, a tiger specialist with the North American accrediting group Association of Zoos and Aquariums. About 75 Sumatran tigers were in captivity in North America and gave birth to two to four litters a year, she said."These births are definitely rare," said Dr Tara Harris, a tiger specialist with the North American accrediting group Association of Zoos and Aquariums. About 75 Sumatran tigers were in captivity in North America and gave birth to two to four litters a year, she said.
The cub will stay at the zoo for a year and a half before zookeepers decide whether to transfer it. It was fathered by a six-year-old tiger named Larry from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. The cub will stay at the zoo for a year and a half before zookeepers decide whether to transfer it. It was fathered by a six-year-old tiger named Larry from the Audubon zoo in New Orleans.
In the wild Sumatran tigers – the smallest of six tiger subspecies – are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in lowland and mountain forests. Habitat destruction and poaching are the main reasons for the tigers' endangerment.In the wild Sumatran tigers – the smallest of six tiger subspecies – are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in lowland and mountain forests. Habitat destruction and poaching are the main reasons for the tigers' endangerment.