Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium welcomed a new tiger Wednesday night.
A rare Sumatran tiger cub was born at 6:45 p.m. to Jaya, who gave birth to two cubs in 2010, zoo official said Thursday. Jaya “and her cub appear to be doing well, and Jaya is a very attentive parent,” the zoo said.
The cub was sired by Malosi, who came to Point Defiance in April from the Honolulu Zoo to breed with Jaya.
The Sumatran tiger is a critically endangered species, and births in zoos are extremely rare, said the zoo’s general curator, Karen Goodrowe Beck, who also is vice chairwoman of the North American Species Survival Plan for Sumatran tigers.
There are an estimated 500 Sumatran tigers worldwide, according to the zoo.
“We’re ecstatic about this birth,” Goodrowe Beck said. “It represents another milestone in the work to preserve this critically endangered species.”
The new cub’s gender is not known yet. Goodrowe Beck, the zoo’s veterinarians and staff biologists are monitoring Jaya and her baby by video camera.
Zoo officials said they hope to introduce the new cub to visitors in about two months.
kate.mcentee@thenewstribune.com
253-597-8524
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