Malayan Tiger Cubs Turn One Year Old
The three rare Malayan tiger cubs born at the Palm Beach Zoo in May of 2011 have received their official names! This is in keeping with many Asian traditions in which babies are named at one year of age. The names were chosen by three Palm Beach Zoo supporters and their families who have each made a contribution to the zoo in support of the cubs.
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| Jaya | Penari | Bunga |
| Photos - Keith Lovett |
Here are the cubs' new Malayan names with English translations:
- Jaya = Glorious
- Penari = Dancer
- Bunga = Flower
On the evening of Thursday, May 10th, zoo supporters gathered in front of the Tiger Falls habitat to see the three cubs choose their own names. Zoo keepers placed the first initial of the new names shown above on Boomer balls decorated to look like birthday candles! The cubs were then allowed access to their exhibit - the first cub to a particular ball received that name!
The cubs are spending their days chasing each other and wrestling with mom, swimming in their pool, and attacking the trees and bushes in their exhibit. These are all behaviors that are natural for tigers and clearly demonstrate why our cats are such great ambassadors for their wild counterparts. There are fewer than 500 Malayan tigers left in the wild and the Palm Beach Zoo has partnered with Panthera, the world's leading big cat conservation organization, to prevent the extinction of these regal creatures. Our cubs, as well as their parents, are playing an important part in this critical effort to save Malayan tigers by helping to bring attention to the cause and by ensuring that the captive population continues to grow.
New Tiger Cubs at the Zoo
The Palm Beach Zoo is home to three male Malayan tiger cubs, a very significant birth for the zoo as well as for the entire population of this endangered sub-species. The trio was born to mother Berapi and father Rimba with the first birth occurring at 10:48 pm on May 12th and the other two at 12:59 am and 1:36 am on May 13th. Berapi has been an exemplary mother to her cubs and can currently be seen with them in our Tiger Falls exhibit each day. The cubs have grown significantly over the last four months and have successfully passed all of their milestones including receiving all of their vaccines. The cubs' weights have increased tenfold since birth and if they follow in their dad's footsteps, they will increase to ten times their current weight by the time they are full grown!
-Stephanie Allard, PhD, Curator of Research and Animal Welfare
For News Coverage, Click Here »
Click an image in the gallery below to enlarge it
Malayan Tiger Cubs' 1st Training Session at the Palm Beach Zoo
The animals at the Palm Beach Zoo take part in a behavioral training program which uses positive reinforcement techniques to allow the animals to voluntarily participate in their own care. By training the animals to present body parts, perform specific behaviors, and move from place to place, animal care staff can conduct visual inspections of the animals. Procedures such as vaccinations, blood draws, and ultrasounds can also occur without having to anesthetize the animals.
Our Malayan tiger cubs are no exception to the behavioral training program and have started their training with simple behaviors such as sitting, standing up, and touching their nose to a target. As they cubs continue to grow, more behaviors will be incorporated into their training so that the staff at the zoo can give them the best possible care.
Want to help us build a brand new exhibit for these little cuties or learn how you can support our worldwide conservation efforts for this amazing big cat? If so, visit this page »
Malayan Tiger Cubs "Cooling Off" at the Palm Beach Zoo
The cubs are spending their days chasing each other and wrestling with mom, swimming in their pool, and attacking the trees and bushes in their exhibit. These are all behaviors that are natural for tigers and clearly demonstrate why our cats are such great ambassadors for their wild counterparts.
There are fewer than 500 Malayan tigers left in the wild and the Palm Beach Zoo has partnered with Panthera, the world's leading big cat conservation organization, to prevent the extinction of these regal creatures. Our cubs, as well as their parents, are playing an important part in this critical effort to save Malayan tigers by helping to bring attention to the cause and by ensuring that the captive population continues to grow.
Malayan Tiger Cubs "Stalking" at the Palm Beach Zoo
At four months old, "Berapi" and "Rimba's" little ones are quickly growing up to be amazing tigers! They have begun stalking not only each other and mom but anything else that happens to move such as leaves, twigs, and bugs!
Tiger Cubs Playing in the "Jungle" at the Tiger Falls Exhibit
The zoo's feisty tiger cub trio have found their favorite place on exhibit to romp and play - the "jungle" - all while under the watchful gaze of mom, Berapi.
Video - Trio of Feisty Tiger Cubs
At nine weeks old, Berapi & Rimba's three cuties are fast becoming wonderful little tigers!
The feisty trio is never far from mom's watchful gaze and even when resting they keep her busy!
Out & About on Exhibit for the 1st Time
Berapi & Rimba's trio of cubs made their public debut on July 29th in the Malayan tiger habitat at Tiger Falls.
Over 1,400 zoo guests welcomed the cubs onto exhibit during the introduction to their new surroundings. The cubs have all found their favorite spot on exhibit, and like any other cat, they have chosen a shady area from which they can see all around them!
Video - Tiger Cubs 1st Trip Outside
The Palm Beach Zoo's three Malayan tiger cubs made their way outside for the first time on July 15, 2011 in preparation for their public debut on July 29, 2011 during Safari Nights!
The cubs along with mom, "Berapi" had access to the "holding yard" located next to the tiger nighthouse for several hours early in the morning. As you can see they are turning into quite the feisty bunch but mom was amazing and never took her eyes off of her little cubs.
Video - Malayan Tiger Cubs Wrestling
Check out Berapi & Rimba's little ones now!
At eight weeks old, the cubs continue to grow stronger each day and we are excited to anncounce that they will be on exhibit beginning in August 2011!
Video - Malayan Tiger Cubs Growing Up: 3.5 Weeks Old
Berapi & Rimba's little cuties are growing day by day!
They have all officially opened their eyes and are beginning to move around more easily even though they are still dependent on mom for everything.
As you can see they are an extremely feisty bunch!
Video - Two-Week Old Malayan Tiger Cubs
Check out Berapi & Rimba's brood at two weeks old! The cubs have officially opened their eyes!
Berapi, the Palm Beach Zoo's female Malayan tiger gave birth on Thursday, May 12th, to three cubs! This marks the first ever tiger birth at the zoo.
Video - Malayan Tiger Cubs Born
Berapi, the Palm Beach Zoo’s female Malayan tiger gave birth on Thursday, May 12th, to three cubs. This marks the first ever tiger birth at the zoo.
Berapi began showing signs of labor in the early evening hours and at 10:48 p.m. the first cub was born. Over the next several hours, two more cubs were added to the litter.
News Links - Our New Cubs in the Media
- Palm Beach Zoo tiger cubs to meet public on Friday
- WPTV - Prowling between palm trees with little black-striped tails swishing behind, the new stars of the Palm Beach Zoo seem too cute to grow up and eat you alive. Read More »
- Tiger cub trio, stars at Palm Beach Zoo
- WPEC - The three Malayan tiger cubs make an appearance while they are busy exploring the their new habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo. Read More »
- Weekend preview: Lyin' and tigers and boors
- Ben Crandell, Sun-Sentinel - One of three rare Malayan tiger cubs that will make their public debut at the Palm Beach Zoo this weekend. Read More »
- Watch Palm Beach Zoo's tiger cubs online
- Sonja Isger, Palm Beach Post — The three tiger cubs born at the Palm Beach Zoo in May are preparing for their first public meet-and-greet Friday -mostly... Read More »
- Malayan tiger cubs make public appearance at Palm Beach Zoo and online
- WPTV - Three Malayan tiger cubs will be making their public debut during Safari Nights at the Palm Beach Zoo on Friday, July 29 at 5:30 pm... Read More »
- Watch Palm Beach Zoo's tiger cubs online or meet them
- Sonja Isger, Sun-Sentinel - The Palm Beach Post The three tiger cubs born at the Palm Beach Zoo in May are preparing for their first public meet-and-greet on Friday ... Read More »
- Baby tiger cam gives preview to cub's Palm Beach Zoo display
- WPEC - Born less than three months ago, three Malayan tiger cubs at the Palm Beach Zoo will be make their public debut 5:30 pm Friday. The births were a rare event ... Read More »
- Trio of tiger cubs preparing for public debut
- Orlando Sentinel - Three Malayan tiger cubs born in May at the Palm Beach Zoo are due to make their public debut during the zoo's Safari Night at 5:30 pm Friday, reports Sonja ... Read More »
- Baby Malayan tigers at Palm Beach Zoo
- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Zoo released new pictures of three baby Malayan tigers. Their mother Berapi gave birth to them last month as part of... Read More »
- Palm Beach Zoo baby tigers open their eyes for the first time
- Two of the three baby tiger cubs born earlier this month at the Palm Beach Zoo have opened their eyes. Watch News Report »
- Berapi, Palm Beach Zoo tiger, gives birth to 3 cubs
- Berapi, a Malayan tiger, gave birth to the cubs late last week - an event captured by the video camera mounted in her indoor den, zoo officials said Monday. Read More »
