Celebrating Life: Saint Louis Zoo Welcomes Rare Amur Tiger Cubs

In a momentous occasion, the Saint Louis Zoo proudly announces the birth of three critically endangered Amur tiger cubs on November 13, 2023. This marks a significant milestone as the first successful tiger births at the zoo in over a decade, making a valuable contribution to the population of Amur tigers in North American zoos. As the largest of wild cats and one of the most endangered big cats globally, the arrival of these cubs is a beacon of hope for the conservation of this majestic species.

The proud parents of the newborns are five-year-old mother Reka (pronounced REE-kuh) and eleven-year-old father Maxim. The family, residing in the serene confines of Big Cat Country, is in good health, with the mother and cubs taking residence in a private, quiet maternity den. This retreat will provide a calm environment for the cubs to grow sufficiently before venturing into their outdoor habitat.

The initial months of a tiger’s life are crucial, and the zoo’s Animal Care team is vigilantly monitoring the family through cameras. Mother Reka has proven to be an attentive and nurturing parent, diligently cleaning, feeding, and keeping her cubs warm. In the upcoming weeks, the cubs will undergo their first well-baby check conducted by the zoo’s Veterinary Care team. The sex of each cub will be determined during this examination, and the zoo plans to name the cubs following the assessment.

Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores at the Saint Louis Zoo, expressed the team’s dedication to supporting Reka throughout this journey. The collaborative efforts across various departments of the zoo showcase a commitment to the well-being of the animals, from careful observations by the Animal Care team to hormonal analysis by the Research Department, ultrasound training coordination by the Veterinary Care team, and dietary oversight by the Animal Nutrition team.

Reka, originally from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, joined the Saint Louis Zoo in 2021. Maxim, born at Peoria Zoo in Illinois, arrived at the Saint Louis Zoo from the Indianapolis Zoo in 2022. The strategic pairing of these two tigers was guided by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan, aimed at maintaining a healthy population of Amur tigers in North American zoos.

The Amur tiger, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, with less than 500 individuals estimated to remain, primarily inhabits the Russian Far East. Threatened by habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, these majestic creatures find sanctuary and hope in the conservation efforts of institutions like the Saint Louis Zoo. As the world celebrates the arrival of these Amur tiger cubs, it serves as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility to protect and preserve the biodiversity of our planet.