Disney World’s rare tiger cubs make public debut — see the pics

A pair of Sumatran tiger cubs who were born back in August have now made their public debut and can be seen by visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The brother-and-sister cubs have charmed their caretakers over the past four months and now animal lovers can get a look at these playful creatures, too.

The most recent update from the Disney Parks Blog about the cubs includes new pictures and video of the growing babies. The male cub is Jeda and his sister is Anala. They are the first tigers ever born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and they live in the Maharajah Jungle Trek attraction.

As you can see, they are totally adorable!

The cubs will be periodically visible to guests as they acclimate to their new space in the zoo exhibit alongside their mom, Sohni.

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Sumatran cubs like Jeda and Anala are rare because they are an endangered species. The cubs were bred as part of the Species Survival Plan, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The plan’s goal is to promote “responsible breeding and diverse populations of threatened and endangered species.”

Fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild. Programs like the one Disney participates in are essential for the species’ long-term survival.

Back when the cubs were just two months old, Director of Animal and Science Operations at Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts Scott Terrell wrote about their impressive progress. “Jeda is very laid back, just like his father Malosi,” Terrell wrote on the Disney Park’s official blog.

And where does the name Jeda come from? It means “pause” in Malay. It seems he has two little stripes on his head that look like a pause symbol, so the name stuck.

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And what about Jeda’s sister?

Anala “has an independent spirit and is very quick to explore new things,” Terrell wrote. Her name is Hindi and means “fiery and sizzling.”

It looks like the world’s two newest Sumatran tiger cubs are happy, healthy and thriving! Continued best wishes to them and the animal caretakers in the coming months as the cubs continue to grow.