The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, an esteemed member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is overjoyed to announce the recent birth of two precious Amur tiger cubs.
These delightful additions to the zoo’s diverse community of over 10,000 animals representing 720 species have brought immense joy to both staff and visitors alike.
On June 1st, first-time mother Talya, aged 9, gave birth to two tiger cubs, with Titań, aged 4, proudly assuming the role of father.
The dedicated animal caretakers and veterinary staff at the Toledo Zoo played pivotal roles in ensuring a successful birth, and both the cubs and their mothers are thriving under their care.
Jeff Sailer, President & CEO of the Toledo Zoo, expressed his excitement, stating, “I cannot wait for all of you in our community to get the chance to see these wonderful new tiger cubs. There are so few tigers left in the world that the birth of these cubs greatly benefits the population of these endangered species.”
The Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger, is a subspecies native to the Russian Far East and Northeast China. In the 20th century, extensive hunting nearly drove the species to extinction, leaving only 50 individuals in the wild.
However, thanks to intensive conservation efforts, their population has rebounded to 480–540 individuals in the Russian Far East as of 2015, including 100 cubs.
Given the endangered status of the Siberian tiger, the birth of two tiger cubs at the Toledo Zoo holds significant conservation value.
One month after their birth, the cubs were officially named Alexei and Rory and have been growing bigger and stronger every day.
Visitors now have the opportunity to observe these adorable furry babies in their enclosure, making a trip to the Toledo Zoo an exciting and educational experience, while also supporting vital wildlife conservation efforts.
