Rare tiger cubs born at Knowsley Safari
They are the first Amur tiger cubs to be born at Knowsley Safari since 1996
Last updated 8th Aug 2025
Two Amur tiger cubs have been born at Knowsley Safari!
Five-year-old Yuki, who arrived at Knowsley Safari as part of a global breeding programme in February, gave birth to the two cubs last week.
Visitors to the Safari can see the cubs on the Safari's 'Cub Cam' on the 10,000 square metre Tiger Trail, until they venture out in the paddock, which is expected to happen in the autumn.
Seven-year-old male Amur tiger, Makari, who fathered the cubs, is in his neighbouring paddock.
They are the first Amur tiger cubs to be born in the UK since May 2024, when four female cubs were born at Longleat Safari.
This is the first time in almost 30 years that an Amur tiger has been born at Knowsley Safari, with the last tiger birth being in 1996.
There are only around 500 Amur tigers left in the wild, and the cubs at Knowsley mark an important step forward in conservation efforts to protect the species, which is at risk in the Russian Far East from poaching and loss of habitat due to logging and deforestation.
Pete Johnson, Animal Team Manager - Carnivores, at Knowsley Safari, says:
"We’re over the moon to welcome the new Amur tiger cubs and to see Yuki bonding with them so well.
"We’re monitoring remotely and it’s lovely to see the cubs finding their feet and getting noticeably bigger each day.
"Importantly, the cubs’ arrival also brings hope for the future of these incredible big cats."
Knowsley Safari won’t know the sex of Yuki’s cubs until their eight-week health check.