31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Rare new arrivals make history at Manor Wildlife Park
The adorable quartet were born at Anna Ryder Richardson's Manor Wildlife Park, near Tenby.
The babies, born to mum, 11-year-old Terima, are 'very noisy and very cute', said their proud keepers.
The cubs haven't been named yet as their sex has so far not been determined.
But Anna – who returned to the park last year after a six-year absence –is sure that some suitable Welsh names will be suggested by the public.
It's hoped that the four little ones will have Welsh names. (Image: Megan Lee Photography) "This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it's very exciting," she said.
The park's head keeper, Kim Wilkins, said that a Sumatran tiger having four cubs was "exceptionally rare", as the normal litter size is two or three.
"When I saw four I was over the moon - what an achievement!" she said.
The Sumatran tiger quads are the UK's largest-ever litter. (Image: Megan Lee Photography)
Mother Tarima and dad Taya, 10, welcomed their first cub, Zaza, in 2024, which was the first time in eight years the pair had bred.
There are estimated to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal poaching.
The tigers at the park belong to a breeding programme, which makes recommendations as to which tigers move where "in order to keep a genetic variability to keep that gene pool healthy", Kim Wilkins added.
The baby tigers were born in June, and have been finding their feet in the park. (Image: Megan Lee Photography)
"When these babies grow up, they will also join the wider breeding programme and will be moved around the world in order to keep a genetic variability to keep that gene pool healthy".
Former interior designer Anna - who starred in the Changing Rooms series and the Anna's Welsh Zoo documentary, added: "You wont be able to see Sumatran Tigers in the wild, during ours or our children's lifetimes. It's happening in front of our eyes and it's tragic.
"Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again, unless we bring in another male, or swap the females which we don't want to do.
"For Wales, it's a rare opportunity and it's important for people to come and see, and learn."
