Itsy-Bitsy Tiger Triplets Just Born At Calgary Zoo

[Are_grits_groceries]

Canada's Calgary Zoo announced that between approximately 4:30 am and 7:00 am on March 30, three Amur tiger cubs were born to female Katja. Their father is Baikal. For the moment, the mother and cubs are being allowed to bond in the security of the birthing area and can only be seen on the webcams (video below). ZooBorns will post updates  - pictures and video - as they grow. 

The birth of these tiny cubs, each weighing an estimated 1.6 pounds (750 gms) is potentially great news for this highly-endangered species. The birth is a result of a breeding recommendation for eleven-year old Katja and ten-year old Baikal from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Program (SSP) for Amur tigers of which the Calgary Zoo is a participant.
Video clip: Check out this video on YouTube:

Amur tigers are classified as endangered and at the last census conducted in the wild it was estimated that only about 350 - 400 Amur tigers remain. To put into perspective the truly endangered status of these beautiful animals, these three tiny cubs are representative of almost 1% of the entire wild population.
http://www.zooborns.com/

Those are some tiny babies!

[marmar]

1. There is no more beautiful a creature on this planet than a Siberian Tiger

[closeupready]

8. Completely agree. Majestic, dignified, powerful, stealthy,

and just plain gorgeous! K&R

[roguevalley]

9. so beautiful

[Faygo Kid]

14. And given your avatar, I'm with you. Go Tigers!

They are truly beautiful animals. And so is Verlander.

[niyad]

2. k and r for this beautiful sight

[Judi Lynn]

3. Wonderful. Thank you. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. How adorable!

And so tiny. Squeeeee!

[tammywammy]

5. Aww, so cute

And OMG that is such an awesome website! All baby animals!

[Beaverhausen]

6. The Baby Pygmy Hippo!!!

*faints*

[BlancheSplanchnik]

13. I squeeeeed 150 times!

[Starry Messenger]

7. *dies*

omg teh cuteness!

[Paper Roses]

10. Magnificent. Thanks for posting. n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

11. Not just tigers, Amur tigers, the most endangered !

Captive breeding may eventually be what saves them from extinction.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. Amur tigers are not only beautiful, they're smart.

There's a fascinating book, "The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival" http://www.amazon.com/The-Tiger-Vengeance-Survival-Borzoi/dp/0307268934 that describes how a hunter in Siberia shot and injured a tiger, and after that the tiger started hunting him specifically. He ignored other humans and sought out only the one who shot him. He even broke into the man's hunting shack and stole his mattress, dragging it outside into the snow so he could sit on it in comfort and wait for his prey.

There are Amur tigers at the Minnesota Zoo. One day I went went to the tiger exhibit, which is mostly open and behind a large moat. There's also an area where there's a thick sheet of glass so you can get close to the tigers (without being eaten). And so I played with one of them - I ran back and forth along my side the glass and she chased me on hers. I'd put my hand up on the glass and she'd put her huge paw up on the other side. We did this for quite awhile. They seem extremely large when you get close to them.

I do like tigers.

[3auld6phart]

29. Beautiful

My friend Calvin has one. Named him Hobbes, follows him everywhere. Don't know
why mankind seems they have to rid the world of these and other magnificent creatures.

[kestrel91316]

15. I luvs me some babykitties!!

[MadrasT]

16. Truly squeeworthy.

Loves me some babycats!

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. they are so cute when tiny

[RadiationTherapy]

18. Bookmarked for my little isotope.

She'll love this.

[freshwest]

19. The mother and child(ren) reunion...

[Brigid]

20. So cute!

We have them at our zoo too (no babies though). God outdid Himself when He created the tiger.

[LadyHawkAZ]

21. AWWWW! Factor +5

Adorable

[Tripod]

22. That is great, Thank you so much!

[BlueIris]

23. Awww. Welcome, little tigers.

Welcome.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

24. Did you see how Mama Tiger gives each baby a turn at tongue bathtime?

Mamas sure do love their babies.

[Odin2005]

25. *SUGAR OVERLOAD*

[DianaForRussFeingold]

26. Favorite Site--Thank You!!!

They are so adorable! I was not feeling well and kind of sad but This made my day!

On the side you can (Sort by Zoo & Aquarium)
Oh, this is great...I can visit the zoo, online!
Thank You again, Are_grits_groceries!

[Beowulf]

27. My plan to save the Amur tiger

Introduce them into the woods of Pennsylvania. We have way too many deer who have no natural enemy, save human hunters. This tiger is already well suited for the geography and climate of Pennsylvania and would be helpful in controlling the deer population. It would also add an element of danger to deer hunting. Win/win, right?

[polly7]

28. So adorable. I hope they're all healthy. nt.