Animal park welcomes four Sumatran tiger cubs

An animal park has announced a "historic conservation milestone" with the birth of four critically-endangered Sumatran tiger cubs.

Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, said they were the first of the breed to be born at the site.

The cubs, born on 9 April, have spent their first few weeks "tucked safely away" in a den with their mother Tipah.

A spokesperson said: "This is a hugely significant moment for Howletts and for the conservation of this extraordinary species."

Howletts said there were fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild, which meant the cubs provided a "hugely significant boost" for the future of the species.

Keepers said all four cubs were "healthy, fluffy and growing well", with one "especially vocal" cub often calling for her mother when she wanders too far away, while another was already noticeably bigger than its siblings.

The park said the gender of the cubs had not yet been confirmed.

The cubs' mother, Tipah, born in January 2019, is described as "independent, cheeky and inquisitive" and has produced one of the largest litters recorded for Sumatran tigers in captivity, the park said.

Since becoming a mother, keepers said she had settled "beautifully" into her new role, and was proving to be "calm, attentive and content", while trusting her keepers to be nearby but not too close.

The cubs' father, Nakal, who joined the park in July 2025, was appearing to miss Tipah's company since becoming a father and spending time apart during the early weeks, they added.

According to Edinburgh Zoo, Sumatran tigers are critically endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching.

They are the smallest tiger subspecies and are native to Sumatra, one of Indonesia's largest islands.

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