**Four Rare Sumatran Tiger Cubs Welcomed at Welsh Wildlife Park**
Visitors to Pembrokeshire may soon be enchanted by the sight of four rare Sumatran tiger cubs, quietly born last month at Manor House Wildlife Park, near Tenby. The surprise arrival of these critically endangered animals ushers in new hope for a species whose numbers are dwindling in the wild.
Staff at the park kept the birth under wraps while mother Terima and her newborns adjusted to their new world. On 17 June, 11-year-old Terima gave birth to the cubs, marking a remarkable moment not only for the park but for conservationists worldwide. Terima’s newest offspring have made big sister Zaza, herself born only a year ago, the first tiger cub to arrive at the park, and previously hailed as a sign of hope for the endangered Sumatran tiger.
Sumatran tigers are the world’s rarest remaining tiger subspecies, endemic to Indonesia. Faced with relentless threats from habitat destruction and illegal poaching, their numbers have plummeted in recent years. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Sumatran tiger as critically endangered, with only several hundred estimated to survive in the wild.
Anna Ryder-Richardson, former interior designer and television presenter, oversees Manor House Wildlife Park. She praised her devoted team, explaining that animal care specialists and vets worked tirelessly to ensure both mother and cubs thrived. Staff members describe the cubs as full of energy and delight, each already showing off their playful nature as they explore their environment.
Recently released footage from the park shows the four youngsters rolling about in straw, familiarising themselves with their surroundings, and nuzzling their mother. In particularly heartwarming scenes, Terima gently lifts her cubs in her mouth and tends to them, occasionally pausing for a cuddle. The arrival of the cubs has been captured in a video that has quickly charmed the park’s supporters, generating widespread excitement.
For now, the cubs remain nameless, but hopes are high at Manor House Wildlife Park that their eventual titles will reflect their Welsh home. “We’d really love to choose Welsh names for our new arrivals,” Ms Ryder-Richardson shared. “It’s been such a magical time for everyone involved, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to share the good news with the public.”
Kim Wilkins, the park’s head keeper, emphasised how extraordinary this event truly is. “Four cubs in a single litter is exceptionally rare for Sumatran tigers,” said Ms Wilkins, who explained that most litters typically have two or three cubs. “When I realised there were four, I was over the moon—it’s a real achievement, not just for the park but for conservation efforts everywhere.”
The birth is not simply a boost for Manor House Wildlife Park; it constitutes an important milestone in their commitment to conservation. The park runs a breeding programme designed to help safeguard wildlife facing extinction, participating in a coordinated effort to ensure genetic diversity and healthy populations for future generations.
Ms Ryder-Richardson underlined the importance of these young tigers. “We’re unlikely to ever see Sumatran tigers in the wild again—not in our lifetimes, nor our children’s. This litter is a unique and precious opportunity, and these cubs have a significant role to play in the global drive to sustain the population.” She also noted that experts hope at least one of the new cubs is male, to support ongoing breeding initiatives.
Ensuring the survival of endangered species is a complex and carefully managed process. Each animal is matched with a mate following recommendations from a studbook—an official registry maintained to maximise genetic diversity and successful breeding outcomes.
As these young cubs grow under their mother’s watchful eye, staff at Manor House—and conservationists across the world—will be following their journey closely, in hope that their story inspires further awareness and action in the fight to save the Sumatran tiger. Visitors and supporters will need to keep an eye on the park’s updates as the cubs adapt to life in Wales, with the promise of names soon to be revealed, hopefully celebrating their Welsh roots.