
There is good news for conservation as Melbourne Zoo celebrates the birth of three Sumatran tiger cubs which has been an achievement for the zoo’s breeding programme. The birth of the cubs, to first-time mum, Indrah, has come as a sigh of relief for conservationists who now see the possibility of this species being pushed to extinction.
The birth of the cubs which happened In the wee hours of Tuesday was certified by the zoo veterinarians after observing Indrah for some days prior to this. Females and their young have been monitored through remote cameras so that the new family does not need to interact with zoo employees.
Dr. Jenny Gray CEO, of Zoos Victoria, who have successfully bred the endangered Sumatran tigers said, “I am very excited that we have more little tigers in our zoos”. These cub have less than 400 remaining in the wild, and they are the future of their species. She was keen to reuse on the goals of the zoo and the call for captive breeding in order to ensure that the species has a wide pool of genes to select from.
The Sumatran tiger living in the Bornéo island of Indonesia is confined greatly in his natural habitat by threats such as deforestation, human-tiger conflict and poaching. Known populations of these species are depleted, and breeding programs like that at Melbourne Zoo work within a worldwide network in establishing a sustainable captive population that may be used to augment the wild population at some point in the future.
Zoo workers who look after the tigers have said that Indrah has been a very good mother and has been pampering her cubs that have been sired in a specially constructed box. The two cubs whose sexes have not as yet been identified will not be seen by the public for severally weeks as they gain more strength and start developing an interest in the surrounding with their mother closely guarding them.From our observation, it is apparent that hikers should avoid following or chasing the animals after sighting them.
This birth is not only for the conservation value, but also a very important hope for the city of Melbourne as the city has experienced lots of issues in recent years such as, effect of COVID 19 on tourism and public gatherings. The residents of the area have expressed their happiness over the news of the cubs and most of them are looking forward to the day the young cubs will be taken out in public.
The zoo has more planned for the cubs and has called on the public to be part of the naming ceremony. The purpose of this program is to encourage the community to get involved and to spread information on Sumatran tigers in their natural habitat. Hopefully, this perceived bond between the people and these new-born cubs will help zoo officials garner sought after support that can help protect these animals.
Melbourne Zoo’s breeding program has been highly appreciated by the wildlife specialists, owing to the hurdles associated with Sumatran tigers’ breeding in captivity. It is for these reasons that this birth can be regarded as successful: the efficient infrastructure of Cincinnati Zoo, great care and, a participation in the Species Survival Plan for Sumatran tigers.
Reports of two polar bear cubs on the way led conservation organizations all over the world to congratulate Melbourne Zoo on the successful delivery of the two endangered animals. Most consider this event as a sign of improving cooperation between countries in the line of wildlife protection, and I believe that zoos do play an important role in this field.
It becomes noticeable that the birth of the tiger cubs happens at time when Melbourne Zoo is continually campaigning on the need for people to protect wildlife and restrict their activities that affect endangered species. There are also new programs for learning to be launched under the activity of the zoo where it is planned to use newly born cubs as pylons for learning the hardships of the Sumatran tiger’s companions in the wild.
The principals of local schools we have spoken to have revealed interest in the adoption of this story across their science and environmental subject teachings. This means young people in Melbourne have the chance to learn about ecological systems, wildlife preservation, and what they can do to support the saving of endangered animals.
Zoos usually change their activities and plans as the cubs grow and develop in the future. The zoo foresees to reach out to the information on the social networking sites and its official website frequently with updated information. It also provides the traveling public with the much-needed opportunity to track the progress of the cubs and ownership of the story/conservation message.
The recent birth of Sumatran tiger cubs in Melbourne Zoo offers the people and the world an opportunity to be reminded of how important the role of zoos is in global conservation program. Except also underlining the potential that such institutions have in giving back to the urban community an opportunity to feel a piece of nature or wildlife within the context of concrete jungles that they live in.
In a time when Melbourne has recently faced and is still overcoming its difficulties the birth of such endangered tiger cubs is a joyous occasion. We are again given the idea of tenacity of life and the need to safeguard species that are endangered in this world today.