Born June 2nd, these critically endangered male Amur Tiger cubs are now on public display at Utah's Hogle Zoo . Mother Basha has been busily attending to the three playful little brothers and they have been growing steadily for the past three months. Amur Tigers are the largest of all cat species, reaching 11 feet and up to 650 lbs. in adulthood.

TINY TIGER TRIO MAKES GRAND ENTRANCE AT HOGLE ZOO'S ASIAN HIGHLANDS

(Salt Lake City, UT) - Utah's Hogle Zoo is thrilled to announce that three

critically endangered male Amur tiger cubs have been born in Asian Highlands

to parents Basha and Kazek. Since the June 02, 2009 birth, the three tiny

cubs have been out of visitors' view while they were getting stronger and

bonding with their mother. Media opportunities for interviews, photos and

footage will be available today (August 25) from 9:30 until 11 am. The cubs

will also be on public display as of today.

For the past couple of months these tiger brothers have become increasingly

active and Basha is kept busy nursing and caring for her three active and

playful cubs. Although this is first litter for her, she is proving to be an

excellent mother. "With first-time moms we prepare ourselves to deal with

the unknown. But Basha took on the three cubs like she was a natural; she

was an extremely caring, protective, great mom from day one," says Hogle Zoo

feline keeper Jill VanMilligen. She adds, "Basha was one of three cubs born

at Hogle Zoo in 2003 and now watching her become a mom herself is

incredible." This is the first time that Kazek, who arrived at Hogle Zoo in

2006 from the Buffalo Zoo, has sired a litter.

The Zoo's Amur tigers, formerly known as Siberian tigers, are part of the

Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP).

The Tiger SSP is responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy

population of tigers in North American zoos. There are approximately 130

Amur tigers in AZA-accredited zoos and about 500 living in small populations

of far eastern Russia and northeast China. Loss of habitat due to logging

activities, human encroachment and poaching are the main threats to their

survival in the wild.

Zoo tigers are extremely important ambassadors for their counterparts in the

wild. In fact when these cubs were born in June, Hogle Zoo was the only AZA

institution this year to effectively breed and have successful rearing by

the mother. According Hogle Zoo Assistant Director- Programs Kimberly

Davidson, "This birth is a testament not only to Hogle Zoo's excellence in

animal care but also our commitment to preserving Amur tigers." In zoos,

visitors can connect with big cats like Amur tigers and become inspired to

learn about and help preserve their future in the wild.

Amur Tiger Facts: The Amur tiger, formerly known as the Siberian tiger, is

listed as a critically endangered species. Amur tigers are the largest of

all the cat species, with the males weighing in between 400 and 650 pounds

and measuring up to 11 feet in length. In the wild, they are found living in

the snow-covered forests of eastern Russia and northeast China.