Two tiger cubs born to a first-time mother appear to be thriving, according to keepers at a wildlife park.
The Amur tigers’ arrival just over a week ago was hailed as a significant birth for Highland Wildlife Park in Cairngorms National Park, boosting the survival chances of the endangered species.
Only around 450 Amur tigers are thought to remain in the wild and the population is under threat from habitat loss and poaching.
The rare cubs were born to new mother Dominika on May 28. Their sex will not be known until they are two to three months old so they have not been named yet.
Una Richardson, head keeper at the park, said: “We could not be more delighted that our female Amur tiger Dominika has given birth to two beautiful cubs.
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“Every animal birth is special but perhaps none more so than an Amur tiger birth. Extremely endangered, at one point it was thought only 50 of these big cats still existed in the wild.
“What makes the birth extra special for us is that Dominika was actually born here at the Highland Wildlife Park in May 2009, one of three cubs born to female Sasha and male Yuri.
“We had hoped that male Marty, who arrived just over a year ago, would make a good mate for Dominika and we are delighted to have been proved correct. The pair live and feed together in their enclosure which is actually the largest in Europe, and have been spotted mating since the beginning of this year.
“The fact our tigers feel relaxed enough to breed and rear a litter in their home in the Highlands makes us extremely proud that we have created an environment for them that meets their needs.”
The female tiger is currently not on show at the park and the cubs will not be visible for another five weeks.