Five Newborn Siberian Tigers Make Public Appearance

On July 3, a 7-year-old Siberian tiger gave birth to quintuplets in Nanping city, Fujian province.

Now, at just over one month old, quintuplet Siberian tigers recently met the public in Jiufengshan Park, Nanping, Fujian province. The Siberian tiger normally gives birth to between one and four cubs at a time,making it very rare for a set of quintuplets to be born. Fortunately, each young cub is strong, happy and healthy.

Three tiger cubs walk with their mother in Jiufengshan Park, Nanping, Fujian. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The mother 'Lele' previously gave birth to quadruplets in 2017. Since her move from Shanghai Safari Park in 2013, she has given birth to a total of 17 cubs", said Liang Jinlong, deputy director of Nanping city Park Management Office.

Liang attributes her recent birth of five cubs to hereditary traits combined with a healthy diet.

In addition to a moderate meat supply, the park regularly feeds Lele with vitamin E. It is understood that after eating vitamin E, animals can increase the concentration of estrogen, improve fertility, and prevent loss of their growing babies.

Three tiger cubs walk with their mother in Jiufengshan Park, Nanping, Fujian. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The five baby tigers have not quite been weaned from their mother Lele. In order to ensure a fulfilling supply of their daily sustenance, the park has sincemade great adjustments in Lele's diet.

"After the birth, her meal was carefully prepared by professionals to include 16 pounds of beef, 5 eggs, 2 chickens, and Super-VITA and calcium tablets to ensure a balanced diet," said Liang.

Three tiger cubs walk with their mother in Jiufengshan Park, Nanping, Fujian. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As for the quintuplets, keepers carefully selected the meat strips, let the little ones tear the food independently, and will gradually weanthem. The keepers also give the growing tigers basketballs to play with, Liang added.