Endangered Tiger Cub Makes Official Debut At Zoo Miami
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- One of the newest members of the Zoo Miami family made its debut Friday after heavy storms rained out a previously scheduled introduction.
The highly endangered Sumatran tiger cub was born in November and given the chance to show off at the tiger exhibit for feedings and some play time.
After several weeks of monitored feedings and positive growth, the cub has been slowly introduced to the sights and smells of the habitat that will soon become his home.
"Zoo staff has begun to establish a routine where the cub receives his afternoon feeding on the exhibit and is then given some time to explore some of the area to familiarize himself with it," said Zoo Communications Director Ron Magill.
Sumatran tigers are found exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. They are the smallest of the six remaining sub-species of tigers and it's estimated that there are only about 300 to 400 left in the wild.
Along with the cub, Zoo Miami features two other Sumatran tigers, a 7-year-old male named Berani and a 4-year-old female named Leeloo.