by Thom Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

A pair of Siberian tiger cubs have been let out for the first time at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park.
The two female cubs were born to Tugar and Ingrid on June 27. At just six-weeks-old the cubs are beginning to take their first steps out from the safety of their birthing shed.
Head Big Cat Keeper Rich Barnes, who has worked with the tigers for seven years, said: “We were fairly confident that Ingrid was pregnant. After witnessing her mating she began to put on weight and she became calmer and more lethargic.
“After a gestation period of about three months Ingrid retired alone to her shed for a short time, and sure enough, when we checked on her, we spotted the two cubs.”
Siberian tigers are endangered and it is estimated that less than 500 remain in the wild today. They are under threat from poaching and a loss of their prey.
Mr Barnes added: “We are all really chuffed with the cubs’ arrival and although we have not seen much of them yet we are looking forward to learning their individual characters as the weeks progress.
“Ingrid has proven herself as a good mum in the past and we are really pleased with how she and the new arrivals are doing. The cubs are getting more confident by the day.”