2 rare tiger cubs make zoo debut

BRONX, N.J. -- Two rare Malayan tiger cubs are making their public debut at the Bronx Zoo.

Nadia and Azul are both female and were born in January.

Their mother was not providing care, so Bronx Zoo woorkers hand-raised the cubs until they were fully weaned.

They required 24-hour care and were bottle-fed a milk formula every three hours. They were weighed daily to ensure they gained the right amount of weight. The cubs were fully weaned in 40 days and then were introduced to adult tigers.

This is the third litter of Malayan tigers born at the Bronx Zoo.

Initially, the cubs will be in the exhibit at Tiger Mountain for a few hours each day. That time will gradually increase as they continue to become more comfortable.

The Bronx Zoo is breeding Malayan tigers and Amur tigers as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program. Malayan tigers are solitary and only come together for breeding. Adult Malayan tigers weigh 250-300 lbs.

After being allowed to properly acclimate to the off-exhibit holding areas at Tiger Mountain, the cubs began exploring the expansive outdoor exhibit space.