Three Cubs, Born in July, Receive Their Names After Four Months
ZSL London Zoo has unveiled the names of three Sumatran tiger cubs, born in July to their mother Gaysha, a 10-year-old tiger. The cubs, who celebrated their four-month milestone, have been named Inca, Zac, and Crispin.
Martin O’Sullivan, the zoo’s tiger keeper, shared that the cubs’ personalities are as distinct as their names. “Inca is very protective over her food, especially chicken, and will defend it fiercely from her brothers. Crispin, on the other hand, is quieter, often snuggling with Gaysha in the sun, while Zac is the largest of the three, enjoying playfights with his sister, which helps them hone their hunting instincts.”
The cubs’ unique stripe patterns, which are distinct on each tiger, allow the zookeepers to easily tell them apart. The names were chosen following a public auction at the zoo’s Safari in the City Gala in September, after a three-month wait to confirm their sexes.
These cubs are part of a vital global conservation project to protect the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. With fewer than 300 of these tigers left in the wild, the zoo’s new arrivals are an important step in the European breeding programme aimed at ensuring the survival of the species.
The cubs have been enjoying their time in the zoo’s Tiger Territory, playing games like hide-and-seek with their mother and father, developing their camouflage skills. Their presence provides a significant boost to conservation efforts, as the zoo continues its role in protecting this endangered species.
