CHINA (CCTV/CNN) – Quintuplet month-old Siberian tiger cubs in China have beaten the odds, remaining in healthy condition even though breeders say that’s rare.
The cubs, two females and three males, were born April 13 at a breeding center. Most Siberian tigers give birth to two to four cubs at a time.
Li Xin, a breeder at the center, said they observed the cubs’ mother for hours after she gave birth, but she didn’t seem to take to the cubs. She said the mother would shy away if the cubs crawled towards her, so the breeders decided to raise the cubs themselves.
The cubs are fed 40 milliliters (2.7 tablespoons) of milk every three hours to ensure their health, Li says. They have been growing about 50 grams (1.76 ounces) every day.
The breeding center has entered its birth peak since early April. So far, 56 cubs have been born, with dozens more tigresses expecting.
It is estimated that by the end of August, there will be a record-high of 150 cubs born this year.
Copyright 2017 CCTV via CNN. All rights reserved.
