Zoo Welcomes 2 Tiger Cubs, First Cubs Born In Cleveland In 20 Years

By Kelly Fisher

January 28, 2021

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has two new additions.

The zoo announced Thursday (January 28) that two Amur tiger cubs were born, one male and one female, to mom Zoya and dad Hector. Their birth marks the first tigers born in Cleveland in two decades.

They were born overnight on Christmas Eve (December 24) going into Christmas Day (December 25). Animal Care experts are caring for the cubs at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine.

“Over the past few weeks, the cubs have been bottle-fed five times a day and have been gaining weight as well as reaching developmental milestones including opening their eyes and beginning to walk. Once they are a few months old, having gained adequate strength and fitness, they will make their home at the Zoo’s Rosebrough Tiger Passage,” the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo explained, promising “behind-the-scenes” updates on the cubs on social media in the coming weeks.

Only about 400 to 500 Amur tigers are estimated to live in their native range today in the far eastern side of Russia and northeastern China, making them an endangered species, according to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Visitors can learn more about Amur tigers at the Rosebrough Tiger Passage at the Zoo.

Photo: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.