Sumatran Tiger Cub 2024

Schedule

Nov. 25 Update
Our rambunctious tiger cub is currently on exhibit
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays from 1:30 – 4 p.m. in either the Banjar house or inside the Islands Pavilion Dayroom (depending on weather). For daily updates, please visit Today at the Zoo.

GRRRRRREAT NEWS!

The Louisville Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a Sumatran tiger cub, marking the Zoo’s first tiger birth in over two decades. The cub, born at 7:40 p.m. on July 23, 2024, is the offspring of 16-year-old male Kami Sambal and 14-year-old female Jingga. Both mother and cub are doing exceptionally well, with Jingga displaying all the nurturing behaviors of an experienced mother, including grooming, nursing, and carrying her newborn.

The voting is over.
Our new tiger cub’s name is Kaji!

 

support our new cub

MEET THE PARENTS

Mother:  Jingga

Jingga arrived at the Louisville Zoo in 2022 from Topeka Zoo in Kansas. Jingga was born in 2011. She is on rotation in the Islands with  Kami. How can you tell them apart? According to her keepers, Jingga loves to swim in the water, so if you see a tiger in the streams, it’s probably Jingga!

Dad:  Kami Sambal

Kami Sambal, or Kami for short, is a male Sumatran tiger, born in 2008.  He is on rotation in the Islands along with Jingga. Kami joined the Louisville Zoo in 2023 from the Oklahoma City Zoo.
The Louisville Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of Kami Sambal on July 23, 2024.  Read the media release.

SUMATRAN TIGER CUB FAQ

Sumatran Tigers, the smallest of all tiger subspecies, are critically endangered according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Fewer than 400 individuals are estimated to remain in the wild due to habitat loss from palm oil plantations. These majestic creatures are exclusively found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Adult females typically weigh between 165 and 245 pounds, while males range from 220 to 310 pounds.

  • What sex is the cub?  The cub is a male.
  • Have you picked a name? His name is Kaji.  The name was chosen from over 4,000 votes in a naming contest presented by Norton Children’s.
  • Are they on exhibit and can we visit mom and cub? Our rambunctious tiger cub is currently on exhibit Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays from 1:30 – 4 p.m. in either the Banjar house or inside the Islands Pavilion Dayroom (depending on weather). For daily updates, please visit Today at the Zoo.
  • Are mom and cub healthy? Jingga presents all the characteristics of a good mother tiger and Kaji appears to be healthy.  Keepers will continue to monitor the cub and mom for any changes.

  • How big will the cub be? Females can weigh between 165 – 245 pounds and males between 220 – 310 pounds.
  • Do Jingga or Kami have any other offspring? Jingga and Kami have had offspring with other tigers, combining to a total of 12 cubs overall!  These offspring are in a variety of locations including Nashville, Oregon and Memphis. In fact, Jingga and Kami are grandparents already.
  • What do Sumatran tigers eat? At the Louisville Zoo, our Sumatran tigers eat a feline diet with assorted bones. In the wild, their pray is wild pigs, monkeys, birds, fish, and reptiles.
  • Are Sumatran tigers endangered? Sumatran tigers are listed as critically endangered. They are included on the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat loss from the expansion of palm oil plantations. It is estimated that there are fewer than 400 in the remnant wild. Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the tiger subspecies and are found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
  • What can the public do to help protect Sumatran tigers in the wild? Two great ways to help Sumatran tigers are to learn about them and share that information with others! Did you know that just by visiting the Louisville Zoo, a portion of every admission and membership goes to help animals at home and worldwide?

You can read more in our Sumatran tiger Fact Sheet.

SUPPORT OUR TIGERS

Your support ensures this amazing cub and its parents receive top-notch care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, engaging enrichment activities, and all the essentials they need to thrive. Donations of any amount will help safeguard the future of this critically endangered species.

GIVE TODAY!

ADOPT A TIGER & CUB

In honor of our new tiger cub birth, for a limited time, you or your loved one can become a symbolic parent of both Jingga and her cub for only $99.

Every package will be mailed with the following:

  • An adoption certificate
  • An animal fact sheet
  • A Louisville Zoo magnet
  • Plush tiger and cub
  • 2 general admission passes
  • Adoptive parent recognized on website for 1 year

Limited quantities available.

adopt tiger jingga and cub!