Critically Endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs Born at Zoo in Greece
Three critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs born at a zoo near Athens have received their first vaccinations and been microchipped.
Three Sumatran tiger cubs, among the most endangered tiger species on Earth, have undergone a veterinary checkup and been vaccinated at a zoo near Athens.
Health Check and Vaccinations for the Cubs
Born in early July at the Attica Zoological Park near Athens, the three Sumatran tiger cubs underwent health checks by veterinarians. The two males and one female were vaccinated against three different diseases while keeping stress levels to a minimum, and were microchipped for identification.
Conservation Efforts and Global Protection
The goal is to establish a global safety population for tigers, whose numbers are rapidly declining in the wild. Theodoros Babilis, the keeper responsible for felines and monkeys, noted that the species is one of the most threatened worldwide and among felids.
Lineage and Names of the Tiger Cubs
The cubs' mother is Toba and their father is Argos. The father tiger later died from cancer. Plans are underway to name the two male and one female tiger cubs after characters from Homer's Odyssey.
Dangers in the Wild
Classified as critically endangered by the United Nations and conservation groups, Sumatran tigers live exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Due to deforestation in their natural habitats, it is estimated that only about 400 tigers remain in the wild.