KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malayan Tiger cubs are showing signs of healthy development and will be available for display to the public soon.
Zoo Negara zoology and veterinary director Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the two male and one female tiger cubs had opened their eyes and their claws were g rowing.
He said their 7-year-old mother, Kayla, had been responding well to the cubs, especially during feeding time, as well as cleaning them by licking her cubs.
“The mother has been showing positive response to her cubs; it has been a 100 per cent cooperation from her. The cubs are fed with only their mother’s milk.
“All three cubs have been showing good signs of growth and are well fed by their mother.”
With the development, Dr Naim was optimistic that the cubs would be able to be displayed to the public at Zoo Negara around the Merdeka month.
He said the tiger cubs were being monitored through daily reports from the tiger enclosure caretakers on their wellbeing, eating habits and digestive systems, along with seven adult tigers.
“The tigers are being monitored through their behaviour and digestive systems. The veterinarians need to observe if there are any changes in the tigers’ condition.”
He said he expected the cubs to be able to eat solid food around 5 or 6 months old.
The cubs were born on May 1, adding hope to the critically endangered species. It is estimated that there are around 200 left in the wild.