The Sumatran tiger is one of the most rare animals on the planet. It's currently on the critically endangered list, but on the verge on extinction, new hope has been born for the species, in the form of a cub.
Sumatran tiger Leanne gave birth to her new cub at the San Francisco Zoo on Thursday and proved that the rare species still has some fight left, according to Reuters. There are estimated to be as few as 400 Sumatran tigers in the wild, which live on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Poaching and deforestation are the primary reasons for the species' endangerment.
The new mother and her cub are being monitored via webcam as not to disturb the pair while bonding. "All signs seem to be positive so far," said zoo curator of carnivores and primates Corinne MacDonald. She noted that the two were getting along perfectly and that the cub was in good health, staying active and eating a lot.
Leanne, who is now 9 years old, gave birth to three males in 2008. The cubs were later split up and transferred to different zoos across the United States. Her litter of three marked the first tiger birth in the San Francisco Zoo in 30 years.
"These births are definitely rare," said tiger specialist Tara Harris. There are roughly 75 Sumatran tigers in captivity in the U.S. and give birth to only two to four litters a year she added.
The cub's 6-year-old father, Larry, was temporarily transferred from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans for breeding purposes, and it paid off.
The new cub represents a glimmer of light for the otherwise faltering species, but the glimmer spreads beyond the Sumatran tiger. Since 1998, the number of endangered species has increased by nearly 2,000. It's a dangerous trend that's destroying the beauty and diversity of our planet. The newborn cub represents hope for all endangered species.
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