The OKC Zoo’s veterinary care team made a house call to the Zoo’s Cat Forest habitat to perform physical exams on the tiger twins checking their overall body condition and vitals. Both cubs have their eyes completely open now and are becoming more mobile. Currently they weigh almost 6 pounds each. The vet team reported everything looked great on the twins’ exams and the pair are progressing well, meeting all necessary milestones. The cubs have not yet been named.

Lola, the OKC Zoo’s 11-year-old female Sumatran tiger, gave birth to her twins on Saturday, July 2 at the Zoo’s Cat Forest habitat. The new tiger family has been spending time together behind-the-scenes bonding. They will remain off public view at Cat Forest until the cubs receive their first round of vaccinations and can safely navigate their outdoor habitat.

The successful birth of these twins makes this Lola’s second litter of cubs with mate Kami, 14. The breeding pair welcomed male triplets in July 2017. The OKC Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for Sumatran tigers which made the recommendation for Lola and Kami to breed. The Zoo is committed to helping protect Sumatran tigers and sustain their population through its participation in the AZA’s SSP for this critically endangered species. Read the complete story about the twins’ birth here: https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/07/okc-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-critically-endangered-sumatran-tiger-twins.html

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered with only an estimated 500 individuals living in the forests of Indonesia.  Their survival is seriously threatened by habitat loss driven primarily by the cultivation of palm oil plantations and by illegal hunting. In addition to supporting the AZA’s SSP for Sumatran tigers, the OKC Zoo committed to protecting this species through a partnership with Rainforest Trust, a conservation organization whose mission is to work with local partners to purchase and protect threatened tropical forests. Using funds donated by OKC Zoo guests through the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation program, Rainforest Trust purchased 13,000 acres of rainforest in central Sumatra. This lowland forest is rich in biodiversity and is now designated as a protected area, safe from conversion to palm oil plantations and logging and patrolled to prevent illegal activities, such as poaching. Some of the Zoo’s most popular and endangered species, including Asian elephants, Sumatran orangutans and Sumatran tigers, are found here.