"New Additions @ The Detroit Zoo"

They were born on March 23 and there are 3 of them.  These are the zoo's first cubs in about 15 years and have quickly become one of the most popular exhibits. 

From The Oakland Press:

They are endangered and at the most, there are 406 Siberian tigers remaining in Russia, China and possibly North Korea, according to information from the World Conservation Union.

The three Detroit cubs are 2 males and 1 female and are products of a captive breeding program involving about 150 Siberian tigers in North American zoos and 225 Siberian tigers in European zoos. 

In North America, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association manages what is called a species survival plan. The parents of the cubs are 4-year old female Chanda and 10-year old Bransk and are part of that plan. Chanda was brought to the Detroit Zoo last year specifically to be bred and they were carefully selected for their bloodlines. Breeding is carefully managed to make sure genetic diversity is maintained. 

Tigers are exchanged between zoos in North America and Europe in order to draw from as wide a gene pool as possible. Their pedigree is critical for managing the population in the long term.

Right now, the cubs are about the size of Labrador retriever puppies, but will grow up to be the largest of the big cats. The two males could reach 10 feet, 9 inches long and weigh as much as 600 pounds -- longer and heavier than a black bear. 

Tigers are native to Asia where -- at the beginning of the 20th century -- they ranged from the Caspian Sea to North Korea, from Siberia to Bali. But they are in serious trouble. They are only about 5,000 to 7,500 adult wild tigers in the world.

Disappearing tigers:

Wild tiger population estimates by subspecies:
Siberian or Amur tigers: 360 to 406
Bengal or Indian tigers: 3,176 to 4,556
Indochinese tigers: 1,227 to 1,785
South China tigers: 20 to 30
Sumatran tigers: 400 to 500
Totals: 5,000 to 7,500

The Bali, Caspian and Java tigers became extinct in the 20th century.

Resources:

• The Tiger Information Center: www.5tigers.org
• The World Wildlife Fund for Nature, www.panda.org
• TRAFFIC International, a group involved in monitoring trade prohibited under the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: www.traffic.org
• Also, call (800) 5TIGERS to contribute to the Save the Tiger Fund, a joint project launched by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Detroit Zoo hours:

Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Sundays and holidays through Labor Day from 10 am to 6 pm
Wednesdays from mid-June through August 10 am to 8 pm.
Call 248 398-0900 for information.

Visit the Detroit Zoo online @: http://detroitzoo.bignetinteractive.com/frames.asp