WATCH: Month-old Sumatran tiger cub takes wobbly first steps at London Zoo
The cub was born in December
Last updated 13th Jan 2022
London Zoo has captured footage of its one-month-old endangered tiger cub's first wobbly steps outside.
Zoo keepers spotted the critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub as it ventured outdoors in pursuit of its mother.
Sumatran tigers, from Indonesia, are the rarest and smallest subspecies of tiger, with the latest figures suggesting that only 300 remain in the wild.
On Wednesday, keepers watched as the cub's mother, Gaysha, carried the one-month-old outside for the first time in the afternoon sun, before taking the opportunity to stretch her legs.
Tiger keeper Kathryn Sanders said:
"We were all holding our breath with excitement as the cub tottered around, using all its strength to clamber after mum.
"It was incredible to watch the youngster find its ‘tiger feet’ for the first time.”
“The cub has so far mostly stayed tucked up with Gaysha in their cosy behind-the-scenes cubbing den, but with such lovely weather yesterday it’s clear she decided it was time for her little one to take its first steps in the outside world.”
Born almost a year to the day since Gaysha first arrived at London Zoo from Denmark, the one-month-old cub is yet to be named.
Keepers will discover if the youngster is male or female at its first health check in a few weeks' time
Originally expected to be part of a litter of three, the cub's two siblings did not survive labour.
However, the birth is still a boost for a global breeding programme working with zoos from around the world to protect the species.