Go inside the den of twin Sumatran tiger cubs born in San Diego. KPBS Reporter Peggy Pico has the story on the cubs role in reversing a nearly extinct tiger species.
Transcript
This is a rush transcript created by a contractor for KPBS to improve accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Please refer to the media file as the formal record of this interview. Opinions expressed by guests during interviews reflect the guest’s individual views and do not necessarily represent those of KPBS staff, members or its sponsors.
THE LATEST FIND INGS SHOW 3200 TIGERS LEFT IN THE WORLD. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TWO TIGER CUBS BORN IN SAN DIEGO AND EXPLAINS HOW THEY MIGHT HELP SAVE THE SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION.
Reporter: THIS IS A CURIOUS BLUE EYED 8 WEEK OLD CUB AND HER SHY TWIN SISTER. WHILE WE ARE INSIDE THE DEN THE CUB'S MOTHER INSPECTS THE OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK, FORMERLY CALLED THE WILD ANIMAL PARK.
WE HAVE SAMATRAN TIGERS. THEY ARE NOW 200 TO 300 LEFT IN THE WILD.
RANDY, CURATOR OF MAMMALS AT THE PARK SAY THERE HAS BEEN A CATASTROPHIC DECLINE OF WILD TIGERS. NUMBERS PLUNGED BY 95% OVER A SENTRY. THE GLOBAL POPULATION HAS DROPPED FROM 100,000 TO 3,200.
ALL SPECIES OF TIGERS COULD GO EXTINCT IN OUR LIFETIME.
Reporter: GLOBAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY. THE LATEST FROM RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER P UTIN.
Reporter: IT IS A DAUNTING TASK. IT IS ESTIMATED 13 NATION'S WILL NEED $350 MILLION TO GET THE PROGRAM STARTED. THIS SIGN ABOVE THE MOTHER'S ENCLOSURE EXPLAINS THE PENDING DEMISE OF HER KIND IN THREE BULLET POINTED. ILLEGAL HUNTING, DEFORESTATION AND LOSS OF PREY AND FOOD SUPPLY.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE FOREST COVER OR PREY SPECIES. IT MAKES THEM ALMOST HIM POSSIBLE TO EXIST.
Reporter: THE ANIMAL CARE SUPERVISOR HOPES THE PARKS GENETIC MATCHED BREEDING PROGRAM WILL HOPE WILD TIGERS RECOVER.
OUR PROGRAM HERE AT THE SAFARI PARK IS VITAL TO TIGERS AND CONSERVATION. BREEDING THIS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ANIMALS IS HELPING THE EFFORTS.
Reporter: GENETIC PAIRING IS IMPORTANT. WITH SO FEW TIGERS LEFT THE GENE POOL HAS SHRUNK. THAT CAN LEAD TO DEFORMITIES AND INCREASED RISK OF DISEASES.
THE BEST PAIR ISN'T ALWAYS A COMPATIBLE PAIR. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR BEHAVIOR VERSUS WHAT THE GENETICS ARE AND MATCH THEM.
Reporter: THE MATCH PAID OFF WITH THESE CUBS LIKE MANY NEWBORNS OFFER HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
THEY ARE 8 WEEKS OLD. IF WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE SUCCESSFUL, HABITATS RESTORED AND POACHING ERADICATED TIGERS LIKE THESE COULD BE RELEASED IN THE WILD.
Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME SAFARI PARK IS EXPANDING THE TIGER EXHIBIT TO ACCOMMODATE MORE CUBS.
WE'LL HAVE THREE LARGE ENCLOSURES INSTEAD OF ONE EXHIBIT. WHEN YOU COME TO THE NEW TIGER EXHIBITS AT THE PARK YOU WILL BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE WILL BE ANIMALS ON BOTH SIDES OF YOU IN A DENSELY FOLIATED HABITAT. YOU'LL BE IN THEIR WILD ENVIRONMENT.
Reporter: WHICH WILL INCLUDE VIEWING PONDS WHERE TIGERS, UNLIKE MOST CATS, LIKE TO SWIM. THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL WEEKS AWAY FROM ENJOYING A SWIM OR MAKING A MAIDEN VOYAGE OUTSIDE OF THE DEN CONTENT FROM NOW AND SAFELY AWAY FROM EXTINCTION.
THE TIGER CUBS WILL BE PRODUCED TO THE PUBLIC AT THE END OF JANUARY AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED ALL OF THEIR VACCINATIONS.
