A Welsh wildlife park has welcomed the birth of four critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs—marking the largest litter ever born in the UK and offering renewed hope for the survival of this rare species.
The cubs, all born to 11-year-old mother Terima on 8 June at Manor House Wildlife Park in Pembrokeshire, are now around six weeks old. Staff had kept news of their arrival under wraps to allow the young tigers time to settle. Their genders have yet to be confirmed.
“This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it’s very exciting,” said park owner and television personality Anna Ryder Richardson. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The tigers have a very important job to do because they have been genetically matched to breed.”
The birth is not only a major milestone for the park, but also a vital contribution to the international effort to save one of the world’s rarest big cats. Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild, with their numbers dwindling due to illegal poaching and deforestation.
Kim Wilkins, head keeper at the park, described the birth of four cubs as “exceptionally rare”, noting that typical litters consist of just two or three.
“When I saw four I was over the moon—what an achievement,” she said. “It’s incredibly special for us, and for conservation efforts globally.”
The tigers are part of the European Endangered Species Programme, which carefully manages the breeding of endangered animals in captivity to preserve genetic diversity. Decisions about which animals are paired are made by a studbook holder, who assesses genetic compatibility and other factors.
“The tigers at the park are part of a breeding programme that works internationally,” Wilkins explained. “When these babies grow up, they’ll join that wider effort and may be moved to other zoos around the world to continue the breeding process.”
Manor House Wildlife Park, near St Florence, has been working to breed tigers for more than eight years. Their efforts finally saw success in 2024 with the birth of their first cub, Zaza, born to Terima and the park’s 10-year-old male, Jaya.
Park officials say they are now inviting the public to help name the new arrivals once their genders are confirmed, with owner Ryder Richardson expressing a preference for “some Welsh names”.
She also emphasised the urgency of the conservation message: “You won’t be able to see Sumatran tigers in the wild, during ours or our children’s lifetimes. It’s happening in front of our eyes, and it’s tragic.
“Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again, unless we bring in another male, or swap the females—which we don’t want to do. For Wales, it’s a rare opportunity, and it’s important for people to come, see, and learn.”
Until now, the largest previous UK litter comprised three cubs born at London Zoo, with Chester Zoo welcoming two last year. With the Pembrokeshire cubs now thriving, the park is hopeful that at least one is male to help continue the breeding line.
“These cubs are very noisy, and very cute,” Ryder Richardson said with a smile. “But they’re also the future of their species.”
