TIGER CUBS BORN AT CALGARY ZOO

The Calgary Zoo is pleased to advise that between approximately 4:30 am and 7:00 am today three Amur tiger cubs were born to female Katja; father is Baikal. The birth of these tiny cubs, each weighing and estimated 750 grams is potentially great news for this highly-endangered species. The birth is a result of a breeding recommendation for eleven-year old Katja and ten-year old Baikal from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Program (SSP) for Amur tigers of which the Calgary Zoo is a participant. Amur tigers are classified as endangered and at the last census conducted in the wild it was estimated that only about 350 to 400 Amur tigers remain. To put into perspective the truly endangered status of these beautiful animals, these three tiny cubs are representative of almost 1% of the entire wild population.