IRISH safari park Fota Wildlife have welcomed a new addition to their rare Sumatran tiger family - and the new cub needs a name.
The Co. Cork wildlife park announced the birth of a Sumatran Tiger cub, which is one of the rarest subspecies of tiger in the world and previously classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2008.
The cub was born on the May 7 to first time parents, five-year-old mother Dourga and father Denar who is also five.
Mother Dourga originally came from Le Parc des Félins in France and father Denar from Warsaw City Zoo in Poland.
The new cub an mum Dourga. (Picture: Fota Wildlife)Although the Wildlife Park do not yet know the sex of the cub, they are calling for the public to suggest a name beginning with ‘D’.
The person who has suggested the chosen name will be in with a chance to win a yearlong Conservation Membership to Fota Wildlife Park.
Sean McKeown, director of Fota Wildlife Park said: “This is a landmark birth for us - apart from the fact this is the first time that a tiger has been born in Fota, but also because this subspecies is so vulnerable to extinction as there are as few as 300 to 500 individuals remaining in the wild.
"The Sumatran Tiger is Indonesia’s last tiger subspecies and it’s being pushed further and further towards extinction due to the devastation of their natural habitats, conflicts with humans and the deadly trade that poachers purvey.
"Therefore, anything we can do to contribute to the continued survival and genetic diversity of this subspecies is vitally important.
"The birth of this cub will help raise the profile of the plight of the Sumatran Tiger and further educate the visiting public for the need to conserve this beautiful and endangered species”.
Kelly Lambe, lead ranger had this to say about the new arrival.
“Dourga and Denar hit it off from the start with lots of friendly chuffs or vocalisations exchanged during their initial courtship.
"We are delighted to welcome this beautiful new addition to the Park, who will be a valuable member of the larger tiger family therefore helping to ensure the survival of the species all whilst being incredible cute.”
