A tiny Sumatran tiger cub born earlier this month at the Dallas Zoo is a “monumental win” for the critically endangered species, the zoo says.
Sumini was born Aug. 2 to parents Sukacita, or Suki, and Kuasa, the zoo announced Tuesday. She is named after a group of female rangers who work in the forests of Indonesia to protect the species.
Sumini is the first tiger cub born at the Dallas Zoo since 1948, the zoo said. She weighed 866 grams — just under 2 pounds — at birth.
But the first few weeks of the cub’s life have presented some challenges. Shortly after Sumini’s birth, caretakers found that Suki was not producing enough milk, and staff members decided to intervene and hand-raise the cub, the zoo said.
The decision was made after the zoo consulted with experts from across the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, through which the Dallas Zoo is accredited, as well as the AZA team that is responsible for creating a species survival plan for the Sumatran tiger.
“While hand rearing is not ideal, we know this was the right move for both the cub and for Suki,” the zoo said on Facebook. “Our zoologists, veterinarians, and nutrition staff are working around the clock and in constant contact with the [species survival plan] to monitor her development and ensure she is getting the best care possible.”
Sumini will remain behind the scenes for now — and is currently “thriving,” the zoo said. The zoo didn’t say when she would be on public display.
There are only 400 to 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, the zoo said. The species, which is the smallest of the tigers, lives largely on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, according to National Geographic.
Suki and Kuasa were chosen to mate because their genes are underrepresented within the AZA’s species survival plan, according to the zoo.
