Knowsley Safari Park announces birth of two tiger cubs
Zookeepers say they are "over the moon" to welcome two rare tiger cubs that have been born at a zoo for the first time in more than three decades.
Yuki, a female amur tiger, gave birth to the cubs at Knowsley Safari Park, on Merseyside, on 29 July.
The five-year-old big cat, who is part of a global breeding programme, "is doing well, feeding and bonding with her offspring in their cosy den."
Keepers who are caring for the new arrivals say they will not know the sex of the cubs until their eight-week health check.
Animal Team Manager Pete Johnson said: 'We're over the moon to welcome the new Amur tiger cubs and to see Yuki bonding with them so well.
'We're monitoring remotely and it's lovely to see the cubs finding their feet and getting noticeably bigger each day.
"Importantly, the cubs' arrival also brings hope for the future of these incredible big cats.'
There are only around 500 Amur tigers left in the wild and keepers say the cubs at Knowsley mark "an important step forward" in conservation efforts to protect the species.
The species is at major risk in the Russian Far East from poaching and loss of habitat due to logging and deforestation.
The cubs born at Knowsley are the first Amur tigers to be born in the UK since May 2024, when four female cubs were born at Longleat Safari.
Male tiger and father of the cubs, Makari, remains in the neighbouring paddock, keepers say.
Visitors can see the tigers on the Safari's 'Cub Cam' and expected to enter the paddock in Autumn 2025.
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The Independent
14 hours ago
- The Independent
British safari park welcomes first tiger cubs in three decades
Two rare Amur tiger cubs were born at Knowsley Safari park in Merseyside on 29 July. The cubs are the offspring of five-year-old Yuki and are the first Amur tiger cubs to be born at the park since 1996. Their birth is considered an important step in global conservation efforts for the endangered species, as highlighted by Animal Team Manager Pete Johnson. The sex of the cubs will remain unknown until their eight-week health check. Watch the video in full above.
ITV News
19 hours ago
- ITV News
Knowsley Safari Park announces birth of two tiger cubs
Ke epers say they will not know the sex of the cubs until their eight-week health check. Zookeepers say they are "over the moon" to welcome two rare tiger cubs that have been born at a zoo for the first time in more than three decades. Yuki, a female amur tiger, gave birth to the cubs at Knowsley Safari Park, on Merseyside, on 29 July. The five-year-old big cat, who is part of a global breeding programme, "is doing well, feeding and bonding with her offspring in their cosy den." Keepers who are caring for the new arrivals say they will not know the sex of the cubs until their eight-week health check. Animal Team Manager Pete Johnson said: 'We're over the moon to welcome the new Amur tiger cubs and to see Yuki bonding with them so well. 'We're monitoring remotely and it's lovely to see the cubs finding their feet and getting noticeably bigger each day. "Importantly, the cubs' arrival also brings hope for the future of these incredible big cats.' There are only around 500 Amur tigers left in the wild and keepers say the cubs at Knowsley mark "an important step forward" in conservation efforts to protect the species. The species is at major risk in the Russian Far East from poaching and loss of habitat due to logging and deforestation. The cubs born at Knowsley are the first Amur tigers to be born in the UK since May 2024, when four female cubs were born at Longleat Safari. Male tiger and father of the cubs, Makari, remains in the neighbouring paddock, keepers say. Visitors can see the tigers on the Safari's 'Cub Cam' and expected to enter the paddock in Autumn 2025.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Two rare tiger cubs born at UK safari park
Knowsley Safari in Merseyside has welcomed the arrival of two Amur tiger cubs. Yuki, a five-year-old Amur tiger, gave birth to the two cubs on July 29 after arriving at the park in February as part of a global breeding programme. Amur tigers, the largest cat species in the world, are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, with only around 500 remaining in the wild. These are the first Amur tiger cubs to be born at Knowsley Safari since 1996, and the first to be born in the UK since May 2024, when four female cubs were born at Longleat Safari in Wiltshire, to mother Yana and father Red. The safari said Yuki was doing well and feeding and bonding with her cubs in their den (Knowsley Safari/PA) The safari park said Yuki was doing well and feeding and bonding with her cubs in their den. The father, seven-year-old Makari, is in the neighbouring paddock. Their sex is unknown until their eight-week health check. The cubs are expected to venture out in the paddock later this autumn. Until then, visitors will be able to watch them on the safari's 'cub cam' on the tiger trail at the park. Amur tigers in the wild face threats to their survival from poaching and loss of habitat because of logging and deforestation. The tigers, which are native to the far east of Russia, can weigh up to 300kg. The species was on the brink of extinction in the 1940s, due to hunting and logging. It is believed the population fell as low as just 20 to 30 animals at one stage. Pete Johnson, the animal team manager for carnivores at Knowsley Safari, said: 'We're over the moon to welcome the new Amur tiger cubs and to see Yuki bonding with them so well. 'We're monitoring remotely and it's lovely to see the cubs finding their feet and getting noticeably bigger each day. 'Importantly, the cubs' arrival also brings hope for the future of these incredible big cats.' Knowsley Safari also works with the Wildcats Conservation Alliance to support the Amur tiger species.
