The rare tiger cubs at Longleat Safari Park. (IanTurnerLongleatSafariPark via SWNS)
By Lauren Wilkin
A safari park has welcomed the arrival of two adorable and rare tiger cubs - born on International Tiger Day.
The two cubs were born on July 29 to parents Red and Yana, who are third-time parents at Longleat Safari Park.
The twins - which are Amur tigers, the biggest wild cats in the world - are just two weeks old and keepers at the Wiltshire Estate don't yet know their sex.
They also haven't been named - although the park has been known to call on the public for help naming cubs in previous years.
In a video released by the safari park, the tiny cubs can be seen cuddled up together crying, before mom Yana begins to clean them.
Amy Waller, Team Manager of Safari, said, "It is a real privilege to welcome another litter of these endangered animals and in the 60th year of the Drive-Through Safari no less.
"Yana is a fantastic mom and has raised six cubs so far, so we have no doubt that she knows exactly what she's doing and we're following her lead.
"The cubs will feed from mom for around six months before she starts weaning them onto meat.
"So far, they are looking like chunky little cubs, so we're just making sure Yana is getting more food than usual so she can provide for them."
(IanTurnerLongleatSafariPark via SWNS)
Amur tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with only an estimated 450 individuals remaining in the wild, making them one of the most endangered animals in the world.
"We've seen such success with the European breeding program (EEP), with three of our cubs having moved onto new homes, and Yuki from our first litter, even having her own cubs."
Longleat is now home to seven tigers, the largest family group in the UK, with Red, Yana, Heidi, Seeka and Dora-Boo calling the park home, as well as the two new cubs.
Yana and Red's last litter was born in May 2024, with four girls, Ginger Biscuit, Dora-Boo, Heidi and Seeka, who were named with the help of the public.
Their first litter, and the first in 20 years at Longleat, was born in 2019 with one boy, Rusty, and one girl, Yuki.
"We aren't sure yet when the cubs will be able to be seen as it is still early days and they will need to have their inoculations before venturing outside.
"We will keep everyone updated once we start introducing them further to Tiger Territory but keep your eyes peeled when driving through as Yana has access to the paddock and might move them at any time," Amy said.
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