The Denver Zoo announced that their four new Amur tiger cubs have a clean bill of health. Born May 31st, the quadruplet cubs were the first of this endangered species to be born at the zoo since 2003.
Amur tigers (or Siberian tigers) are the largest cats in the world. They reside in a small region in the southeast region Russia and are also located in small numbers in China and North Korea. There are only around 400 Amur tigers left in the wild, and they are considered endangered by IUCN’s Red List. One cause of their dwindling population is loss of habitat due to deforestation. In addition, Amur tigers are poached, or illegally hunted, for their fur and for body parts that are used for traditional medicines.
Learn more about the new tiger cubs at the Denver Zoo website.
Learn more about Amur tigers by reading Animal Fact Guide’s article: Siberian Tiger.
Madagascar is known for its unique animals, one of which is the carnivorous fossa. The fossa is related to the mongoose and weighs about 20 lbs. Fossas have tails just as long as their bodies, about 2 and a half feet, which help them balance while climbing trees. Despite this relatively small size, the fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island.
There are roughly 2000 Grevy’s zebras left in the wild, earning them a spot on the endangered species list. Add to that number one more as the Denver Zoo welcomes a baby male zebra.
Quadruplet red panda cubs have been born in the Denver Zoo. The three boys and one girl are only the fifth group of quadruplets born in the United States.