LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Tuesday there has been an adorable, furry addition to the Louisville Zoo family.
A rare Sumatran tiger was born at the Louisville Zoo on July 23 at 7:40 p.m. This is the Zoo's first tiger birth in over two decades.
Sumatran tigers are the last island tigers in the world. Louisville Zoo Executive Director Dan Malone said there are fewer than 400 Sumatra tigers left in the wild and about as many in zoos across the globe.
"It’s been a long time since the Zoo has welcomed a tiger cub to our extended family and we are all excited by the arrival of this rare and endangered youngster," Maloney said. "I commend the Islands and Animal Health teams for their efforts and invite our community to come celebrate with us as we watch this precious cub grow and progress."
The cub's mother, Jingga, arrived two years ago at the Louisville Zoo from Topeka Zoo in Kansas. She is 14 years old and loves swimming in water, according to the Zoo's website. The cub's father, Kami Sambal, is 16 years old and joined the Louisville Zoo in 2023 from the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Zoo officials say Jingga and the cub are both doing "exceptionally well." The two are currently bonding in a private den where Jingga is displaying all the nurturing behaviors of an experienced mother, including grooming, nursing and even carrying her newborn in her mouth.
The sex of the cub is currently unknown. To ensure Jengga and the cub bond successfully, the keepers are respecting their privacy for the next several weeks.
The Louisville Zoo has a live stream of the mother and her cub on their website. Officials say Jingga does need to take short breaks throughout the day, but will continue monitoring her cub even if she's not in view.
The Louisville Zoo will be hosting a contest to name the cub soon, according to the Zoo's website. When the contest opens, the Louisville community will be invited to give their two cents on what to name the baby tiger.
Zoo officials said the mother and cub will continue bonding in private. They aren't expected to be displayed to the public for the next several months.