Tacoma zoo: Sumatran tiger cub not thriving
TACOMA – The head veterinarian at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium says staffers will bottle-feed a newborn Sumatran tiger cub because of concerns that he’s losing weight and not getting enough milk.
Staff members say the cub’s mother, Jaya, is less attentive to this cub than she was to a litter she had two years ago. The zoo says she’s been frequently leaving the den box, which means the new cub isn’t getting sufficient nursing opportunities.
Dr. Karen Wolf says it’s in the cub’s best interest to get round-the-clock feedings with special formula. She said Tuesday he was a bit dehydrated and his temperature was low. He weighed 3 pounds.
The cub was born Aug. 22.
Sumatran tigers are a critically endangered species.
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2012/08/tacoma-zoo-sumatran-tiger-cub-not-thriving/
