Nashville Zoo Throws Joyous First Birthday Bash for Sumatran Tiger Cubs

Nashville Celebrates First Birthday of Adorable Sumatran Tiger Cubs

On a delightful Sunday morning, Nashville Zoo welcomed a special occasion that brought lots of joy and laughter— the first birthday party of the beloved Sumatran tiger cubs! As the clock struck 9 a.m., the three playful cubs—sisters Kirana and Zara and their brother Bulan—bounded down the hill in their enclosure with excitement. Their mother, Anne, trailed closely behind, all curious about what was waiting for them this time.

A Party to Remember

The zoo staff had been busy preparing for this magical moment, laying out large frozen cone-shaped treats that resembled colorful candy corn and delightful pumpkins adorned with personalized messages for each cub. The moment the cubs leaped onto the heated stone platform near the viewing area, the air buzzed with joy. These cute felines were thrilled to discover the tasty surprises that awaited them.

The Growing Personalities of the Cubs

Although the tigers are just over a year old, they are already showing signs of developing their own unique personalities. According to their primary handlers, Sherry Currens and Stephanie Howard, they compare these growing cubs to young teenagers or pre-teen humans. Each cub stands out in its own way:

• Bulan: the innocent and naïve boy, reminiscent of his dad, Felix;
• Zara: the princess with a big, fun personality like her mom;
• Kirana: a lovely mix of both parents, adaptable to her surroundings.

As the cubs approached the colorful pumpkins—an intriguing novelty since they were born on October 20, 2022—they each instinctively gravitated toward their specially painted pumpkin. The zookeepers watched with amusement as the cubs inspected the gifts with growing curiosity, rolling and pawing at them. Before long, their attention shifted to the frozen treats, which were made from colored ice, frozen goat’s milk, and even frozen diluted blood!

Fun and Playtime in the Enclosure

With their hearts racing in excitement, the cubs were quick to grab the candy corn-shaped treats, hugging them tightly and knocking them over as they crunched them into delightfully messy pieces. This playful scene quickly transformed into a fun-filled romp around the grassy enclosure, as the cubs delighted in rolling the pumpkins and pouncing on one another, looking just like oversized house cats at play.

From time to time, mother Anne joined in the fun. But she also knew when to sit back on the heated platform, enjoying the loving chaos and keeping an eye on her frolicking cubs. “She’s a great mom,” Currens remarked, clearly proud of how protective Anne is of her little ones.

Looking Ahead: A Bittersweet Journey

The tiger cubs are growing rapidly and currently weigh about 60% of their expected mature weight. However, this also means it won’t be long before the time comes for them to leave the zoo to start families of their own, as part of a species survival plan. The first to leave will be Bulan, likely making his journey when he’s about 15-16 months old, which would be in early 2025. When it comes to the two sisters, the timing is still a mystery.

Currens, along with Howard, has devoted the last year to ensuring the cubs’ well-being, witnessing everything from losing teeth to taking their first swims. With each passing moment, their bond has grown, and the thought of them leaving brings mixed emotions. “It makes my heart feel sad,” Currens shared. “It’d be like one of my kids.” But there’s also a glimmer of joy in this bittersweet moment. “It’d be nice to see them go off and start their own families.”

Conservation Efforts

It’s essential to remember why moments like these are so vital. Sumatran tigers are currently an endangered species, with fewer than 500 believed to be left in the wild. The overall tiger population has declined to under 3,900 due to issues like deforestation caused by palm oil production. The Nashville Zoo actively participates in conservation efforts and encourages visitors to shop sustainably. They even have a tiger-friendly shopping guide for the Halloween season!

As the cubs celebrated their big day at the Nashville Zoo, the love and support from the zookeepers and visitors alike made this birthday party one for the books. One thing’s for sure: These adorable tiger cubs have won the hearts of many, and their journey has only just begun!