The birth of two tiger cubs at a British safari park has brought fresh hope to an endangered species.

The cute cubs are part of the Siberian or Amur sub-species, of which there are just 540 individuals left in the world.

The tiger births are the first at Longleat Safari Park, in Wiltshire, for nearly 20 years and are part of a European-wide breeding programme for the sub-species.

Siberian tigers have been born at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire for first time in 20 years

The cute cubs are part of the Siberian or Amur sub-species, of which there are just 540 individuals left in the world

Both cubs, a male and a female, weighed just over two pounds when they were born in a purpose built birthing area.

It is predicted that they will eventually grow to 10ft in length and about 660lbs.

It is predicted that the tiger cubs will eventually grow to 10ft in length and about 660lbs when fully grown

They are currently living off a diet of milk, but will eventually be weaned onto a meat diet after six to eight weeks

They are currently living off a diet of milk, but will eventually be weaned onto a meat diet after six to eight weeks.

Keepers at the park say the first-time-mum Yana is incredibly protective of her cubs, making interaction with them difficult.

Keepers at the park say the first-time-mum Yana is incredibly protective of her cubs, making interaction with them difficult

In the 1930s Siberian tigers nearly died out due to hunting, with numbers falling to as low as between 20 and 30 individuals

Caleb Hall, the cubs’ keeper, said: ‘Yana is a first-time parent and we’re extremely pleased with how well they are reacting to the new arrivals.

‘The cubs were born with their eyes closed and will only drink milk for the first six-to-eight weeks before being gradually weaned onto a meat diet by mum.

‘The nature of tigers means Yana is a very protective parent and they do best being looked after solely by her with no extra attention from keepers.

 The cubs’ keeper Caleb Hall said ‘they will closely follow mum and only be mature at three-to-four years of age’

Both cubs, a male and a female, weighed just over two pounds when they were born in a purpose built birthing area

Mr Hall said it will take some time before the tigers are ready to leave their mother.

‘Tigers give birth to very small and vulnerable cubs in comparison to their size and they are solely dependent on mum for the first three months,’ he said.

‘Even after that they will closely follow mum and only be mature at three-to-four years of age.’