Baby Tigers Grace Melbourne Zoo

Two Sumatran tiger cubs show off their adorability.

Four little tiger cubs came a step closer to making their first public appearance today at Melbourne Zoo by getting their vaccination jabs.

The two boys and two girls were born three months ago and have been named Rani and Indrah for the girls and Hutan and Aceh for the boys. They are the offspring of female tiger Binjai and male Ramalon.

The tigers are Sumatran Tigers, one of the rarest and most endangered tiger species. Their habitat in the wild is being threatened by palm oil plantations which is destroying the rainforest, home to this species of tiger as well as many other endangered animals.

It is hoped that once the tigers are on public display, they will win the hearts of the visitors and play a small part in helping to educate the public on the threat that the rainforest faces. Melbourne Zoo is supportive of a campaign to clearly label products containing palm oil so that consumers can make educated choices about which brands to buy in the shops.

Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo and was actually modelled on London Zoo. Back in February the zoo became the focus of media attention from around the world when its first baby elephant was born. Not only was it the first baby elephant for Melbourne Zoo – only the second baby elephant to be born in Australia – but it was the first elephant conceived in Australia by artificial insemination. Members of the public were encouraged to vote on a name for her and they eventually settled for Mali. Mali has since become the star attraction at the zoo.

However will the baby tigers take Mali’s crown? They are certainly adorable and bound to be a hit with the public when they are finally on display. A visit to Melbourne in Australia is not complete without a visit to this famous zoo. Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year from 9am until 5pm.

For information on flights to Melbourne from the UK check out our Australia travel section and for more holiday ideas we’ve a list of the best places to go in Australia.

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