13/05/10

From the Acting Premier

Melbourne Zoo's newest baby additions - four three-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs - made their public debut this morning with their mother Binjai.

Acting Premier Rob Hulls today officially welcomed the two male cubs, Aceh and Hutan, and two female cubs, Rani and Indrah, as they ventured out of their night den into the Tiger Exhibit.

"Today's first public appearance of these beautiful cubs marks a major event for the zoo, in the International Year of the Tiger," Mr Hulls said.

"These are the only tiger cubs to be born in Australia this year, and I know that all Victorians will want to come along and see these rare creatures.

"The Brumby Labor Government is proud to support the Sumatran tiger captive breeding program which has seen the birth of these beautiful, yet seriously endangered, tiger cubs.

"With as few as 300 Sumatran tigers surviving in the wild, this is a high priority international conservation program.

"It is important communities around the world are aware of the precariousness of this tiger subspecies and do whatever they can to support conservation efforts.

"The Melbourne Zoo's funding and expertise is a major factor in the success of a habitat protection project in Sumatra, working in a national park where tigers and other endangered species such as orang-utans and elephants are still found.

"Project staff come to Melbourne Zoo for advanced training in various areas, including elephant care. In Sumatra, project rangers ride elephants on patrols through the forest to ensure there is no poaching, logging, or other illegal land use that would threaten the wildlife."

Mr Hulls said the baby tigers, like Mali the baby elephant, would capture the hearts of Victorians.

"Mali arrived in January and thousands of people participated in finding her a name and have since visited her specially build new home at the zoo," he said.

"I know all visitors to the zoo will also fall in love with our new tigers, who no doubt will become a major attraction, boosting tourist numbers to our State."

The cubs will be initially on display for a few hours a day, but that time will gradually extend.

The tigers have been named by Melbourne Zoo staff, which is a common convention at the zoo.

Victorians can also adopt one of the cubs for as little as $10 a month, which helps cover the costs of caring for the zoo's animals to free up funds to dedicate to conservation.

If you would like to Adopt a Tiger or donate to Zoos Victoria or please call the Zoos Victoria Foundation on 03 9285 9308, email zvfoundation@zoo.org.au, or click here for more information http://www.zoo.org.au/ZVF/Adopt_an_Animal