Cork's Fota Wildlife Park celebrates rare birth of two Sumatran tiger cubs

Born on June 16 to mother Jambi and father Batak, the cubs’ arrival marks the first time more than one cub has been born in a single litter at the park

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs on June 16t, to mother Jambi and father Batak, the first time more than one cub has been born in a single litter at the Park. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO.

Wed, 22 Jul, 2026 - 10:21

Breda Graham

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs, marking a landmark moment in the wildlife park’s conservation breeding work.

Born on June 16 to mother Jambi and father Batak, the cubs’ arrival marks the first time more than one cub has been born in a single litter at the park.

The Cork conservation attraction also confirmed the arrival of three endangered Asian lion cubs, born on July 1 to mother Arya and father Yali. Their birth marks nine-year-old Arya’s second litter with Yali, who is 10 years old.

The latest arrivals add to a significant period of new births at Fota Wildlife Park, which has recently welcomed a critically endangered Nubian giraffe calf, two European bison calves, a François’ langur infant and six meerkat pups.

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs on June 16, to mother Jambi and father Batak, the first time more than one cub has been born in a single litter at the Park. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO

The Sumatran tiger is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the highest threat category before extinction in the wild, with fewer than 350 individuals estimated to remain in their native habitat.

Meanwhile, the Asian lion is classified as Endangered by the IUCN and survives today in only one wild population, in India’s Gir Forest, making conservation breeding programmes in wildlife parks and zoos critical in supporting the breed’s long-term survival.

Speaking about the most recent births at Fota Wildlife Park, lead ranger John Leahy said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the birth of both sets of cubs. I have to pinch myself when I think about the fact that we’re announcing both Sumatran tiger and Asian lion cubs this summer.

“We’ve had members of the public asking about the noises, the squeaks and everything they’re hearing over the past few weeks from the Asian Sanctuary. So, we’re delighted to confirm these exciting births at the Park. The cubs are currently getting the developmental space they need with their respective mothers, so they are not on public view as yet.”

Leahy explained that the arrival of the Sumatran cubs marks Jambi, the five-year-old Sumatran tiger, who was born at Tiergarten Heidelberg, first time being a mother.

“The two tiger cubs are feeding really well. At this stage of their growth, we really take a hands-off approach and allow the young cubs to nurse naturally. Jambi has kept them mostly in their house and only brings them out in the evenings, after the Park has closed, when the temperatures have cooled,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lioness Arya, who was born as part of the first-ever litter of Asian lion cubs at Fota Wildlife Park in 2017, has been “an incredibly protective and attentive mother”.

“She gave birth in the den, which faces the visitor viewing area, and we have to restrict the area for now to allow her the privacy and space she needs while nursing and caring for her cubs. As a result, the cubs are not visible publicly, but we hope to reopen access within the next few weeks as they continue to settle,” Leahy explained.