Hidden cameras show birth of rare tiger twins at Chester Zoo

The tiny twins were born to first time parents Kasarna and Dash on January 7 and the new family has since been bonding in their den – with all of their adorable early life antics caught by the zoo’s CCTV cameras.

Zookeepers say the new arrivals are yet to be sexed and will be named once they start to gain in confidence and venture outside, which experts estimate will be in early April.

The birth of two critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs is caught on camera at Chester Zoo.

Just 350 Sumatran tigers are thought to remain in the wild – making them one of the world’s rarest tiger subspecies. They are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - the most severe conservation category and highest priority.

According to carnivore experts, the birth is a significant step forward for the conservation breeding programme working to save the species from extinction.

Sumatran tiger mum Kasarna has given birth to two cubs at Chester Zoo.

Dave Hall, carnivore team manager at Chester Zoo, said: “We’ve been closely monitoring Kasarna on our CCTV cameras as she get to grips with motherhood and her first litter of cubs – it’s a real privilege and incredibly special to watch.

"She’s a great mum and is being very attentive to her new infants, keeping them snuggled up in the den and feeding them every few hours. It won’t be too long until they gain enough confidence to start venturing outside for the very first time as a family, which is really exciting.

“The birth of two more healthy Sumatran tiger cubs is another significant step forward in the long-term efforts to protect these incredible animals. One day, the pair will hopefully go on to themselves make a vital contribution to the endangered species breeding programme, which is now playing a critical role in preventing these majestic animals from becoming extinct.”

The expansion of unsustainable palm oil and coffee plantations has seen more than 90 per cent of the Sumatran tigers habitat wiped out, bringing tigers into close conflict with the human population.

As a result, the carnivores are more exposed and often killed when they come into contact with villagers, farmers or livestock. The species is also heavily poached for its skin, bones and canine teeth, which are sold illegally on the traditional Asian medicine markets.

Male Sumatran tiger, Dash, has fathered two cubs at Chester Zoo after arriving last year.

Mike Jordan, director of animals and plants at the zoo, added: “Today there are fewer than 350 Sumatran tigers living in the wild, so Kasarna’s two cubs are absolutely crucial to the survival of the species. They are the latest additions to an insurance population in conservation zoos that will be the driving force in preventing the Sumatran tiger from enduring the same fate as the Javan, Caspian and Balinese tigers, which have all sadly been wiped out forever.

“The arrival of the cubs is a real testament to the expertise and scientific work of our teams who, only last year, paired up female tigress, Kasarna, with a male Sumatran tiger, named Dash. They were coupled together based on their genetic make-up, age and character and this news is cause for real celebration among the global conservation community.”

In India and Nepal, the zoo’s conservationists are fighting to control illegal poaching and mitigate conflict between humans and tigers to improve the outlook for another subspecies, the Bengal tiger.

Sumatran tiger facts:

• Sumatran tigers have webbed paws, which make them excellent swimmers
• They have white spots on their ears which act as false eyes and make them appear alert from behind
• The Sumatran tiger’s stripes are closer together than other tigers
• Tigers usually hunt at night, around once a week
• Tigers are the largest of the big cats, and the largest carnivorous land mammal on Earth.
• The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all species of tiger
• Six subspecies of tiger remain with three having already gone extinct