Three critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs have celebrated a major milestone, marking their first birthday with a playful and enriching treat at West Midlands Safari Park.
A Purr-fect Birthday Surprise
The cubs, named Nova, Nadirah, and Naresh, officially turned one on Saturday, 17 January. To commemorate the occasion, their dedicated keepers, assisted by some fortunate guests on a Keeper Retreat experience, arranged a feline-friendly birthday surprise: a towering stack of cardboard boxes.
Like domestic cats, these majestic tigers adore boxes. However, this present came with an extra incentive. Hidden chunks of meat were concealed inside the boxes, encouraging the cubs to use their natural instincts to dismantle the tower and hunt for their snacks.
Nova, the female cub, was the first to investigate the new structure, quickly claiming a box for herself. She was soon joined by her brother Naresh and sister Nadirah, with the playful session featuring the typical squabbles expected of energetic siblings.
More Than Just Play: A Vital Conservation Story
Kasha Carter, Head of Carnivores at West Midlands Safari Park, expressed her delight at the cubs' rapid growth. "I can’t believe our tiger cubs are already celebrating their first birthday!" she said. "Transforming simple things (like boxes) into a world of play, curiosity and growing strength, is all a vital part of how the cubs have spent their first year of learning."
Carter emphasised that such enrichment activities are crucial for the animals' healthy development. These moments also starkly highlight the precious future of this critically endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts.
The Fight for Survival
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Sumatran tigers as 'critically endangered', the highest risk category before extinction in the wild. Current estimates suggest there may be fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild globally, with only around 400 of those being the Sumatran subspecies.
The birth of these three cubs to mother Dourga in January 2025 was therefore a significant event for the species' survival. Their names have special origins:
- Nova was chosen by the park's keepers.
- Nadirah was selected by guests via the park's Facebook page.
- Naresh gained his name from viewers of ITV's Lorraine show.
Their first birthday is not just a cute milestone but a beacon of hope, underscoring the critical role modern zoos and safari parks play in global conservation breeding programmes for the world's most threatened animals.
