Megan Lee PhotographyFour rare Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at a Welsh Zoo, sparking new hope for the critically endangered species.
Mum Terima, who is 11, welcomed the “very noisy, and very cute” cubs around six weeks ago at Manor House Wildlife Park.
Park officials have been keeping news of the arrivals under wraps as the cubs were allowed to settle.
The four cubs, whose genders are yet unknown, were born on 8 June making Pembrokeshire home to seven tigers. Celebrity owner Anna Ryder Richardson said: “This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it’s very exciting.”
Megan Lee PhotographyKim Wilkins, head keeper at Manor Wildlife Park said having four cubs was “exceptionally rare”, adding that a normal litter size for a Sumatran tiger is two or three.
“When I saw four I was over the moon, what an achievement,” said Ms Wilkins.
The tigers at the park belong to a breeding programme, which makes recommendations as to which tigers move where “in order to keep a genetic variability to keep that gene pool healthy”, Ms Wilkins added.
“When these babies grow up, they will also join the wider breeding programme and will be moved around the world in order to keep that breeding process going.”
There are estimated to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal poaching.
The Pembrokeshire litter is believed to be the largest born in the UK, with three previously born at London Zoo and two at Chester Zoo last year.
Interior designer and TV presenter Ryder Richardson added: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tigers have a very important job to do because they have been genetically matched to breed.
“The breeding group are really hoping that one of our four is a male.”
The pairing and breeding of particular animals is managed by a studbook holder, who makes matches according to genetic diversity and other suitability criteria.
Participating in the European Endangered Species Programme means that if zoos are asked to send an animal to another zoo for breeding, they will co-operate to ensure the population overall is as strong and healthy as possible.
Ryder Richardson added: “You wont be able to see Sumatran Tigers in the wild, during ours or our children’s lifetimes. It’s happening in front of our eyes and it’s tragic.
“Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again, unless we bring in another male, or swap the females which we don’t want to do.
“For Wales, it’s a rare opportunity and it’s important for people to come and see, and learn.”
Megan Lee PhotographyManor House Wildlife Park has been attempting to breed from their 10-year-old male Jaya and 11-year-old female Terima for more than eight years.
They had been unsuccessful until their first cub Zaza was born in 2024.
Manor House Wildlife Park officials said they are open to suggestions on naming the cubs once their genders have been identified.
Park owner Ryder-Richardson said she is hoping “for some Welsh names.”
