Memphis Zoo welcomes 2 Sumatran tiger cubs. Take a peek at them

The Memphis Zoo has welcomed two new adorable residents: a pair of Sumatran tiger cubs.

The cubs were born on May 5 to mom Dari, the zoo's 8-year-old female Sumatran tiger. The cubs are the first at the zoo in more than 25 years. The zoo announced the births Friday.

“We are thrilled to announce the birth of these two Sumatran tiger cubs — a critically endangered species.  The symbol of the tiger is synonymous with pride and community here in Memphis, and I have no doubt the city will join us in the celebration of these significant births," Chief Zoological Officer Courtney Janney said.

Sumatran tigers are one of the most critically endangered subspecies of tigers.

"The Memphis Zoo has chosen the Sumatran tiger as a conservation focus in the coming years, and these two cubs will be crucial in helping to raise awareness of the plight of their wild counterparts," Janney said.

So far, Dari has proved to be a great mother, zoo staff said.

“We will document milestones and their development, such as when their eyes open when they are strong enough to leave the nest box, and when they start sampling diet. Once the cubs are six weeks of age, they will receive a series of vaccinations essential to their health before investigating their outdoor exhibit at approximately three months of age," senior veterinarian Dr. Felicia Knightly said.

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Before the cubs are able to be in the outdoor exhibit, the zoo is setting up a livestream so people can watch them grow.

Outside the zoo,  Dr. Joe Figel, a post-doctoral research fellow for Memphis Zoo, will spend the next three years doing fieldwork alongside indigenous rangers in Sumatra to assess the threats and current Sumatran tiger population. 

Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, real estate and healthcare for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com