SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A baby Sumatran tiger cub who was recently born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park made its public debut Friday, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced.
The Sumatran tiger cub, Barong, was born on Aug. 23 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Tull Family Tiger Trail habitat. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said Barong emerged from his den for the first time on November 1 to explore the outdoor habitat alongside his mother, Jillian.
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Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, with only an estimated 400 to 600 remaining in native habitats. The zoo says the tiger cub’s birth was a result of a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program.
In the wild, Tigers face many challenges, including loss of habitat, human-wildlife coexistence and poaching.
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