Children visiting Honolulu Zoo yesterday received photographs of the zoo's three new tiger cubs, but the babies born Sept. 15 won't appear in public for a couple more weeks.

    Honolulu Zoo Has 3 New Tiger Cubs  

 

 

They are the first to be born at the zoo in 27 years as part of the species survival plan for Sumatran tigers.

 

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  The top priority is that the cubs and their mother, Chrissie, are compatible and comfortable together, said Sidney Quintal, director of the Department of Enterprise Services.

“;We'll ease them out with mom when there's a small crowd, not get her excited,”; Quintal said. “;They're like kittens. We want to be sure they will come back inside with mom.”;

Zookeepers will inoculate the tigers and weigh them before they are released into the outdoor habitat.

Hawaii children may get a chance to name at least one cub, once the keepers determine their sexes. Honolulu Zoo Society members have said they'd like to have a role in naming them.

“;There are protocols within the zoo world,”; Quintal said.

Chrissie and Berani, the cubs' father, are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Sumatran Tigers, a breeding program designed to maximize genetic variability in the captive tiger population.

The cubs may be moved to other zoos as part of the program but probably not until they reach maturity, Quintal said.

“;These tiger cubs are adorable and magnificent and we're thrilled to be able to share these wonderful images for the first time,”; said Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who distributed the photos to children and reporters.