ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Zoo is celebrating its cutest new members as three critically endangered Amur tiger cubs were born Nov. 13, which were the first successful tiger births at the Zoo in more than a decade.


What You Need To Know

  • Tiger mother, Reka, and cubs are doing well, according to a press release, and will remain in their private maternity den inside Big Cat Country for the next few months until the cubs are big enough to safely navigate their outdoor habitat

  • The cubs are a significant contribution to the population in North American zoos as there are less than 500 Amur tigers left in the world, according to the press release, with the most living in the Russian Far East

  • As considered one of the most endangered cats in the world, Amur tigers face extinction in the wild due to habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, poaching and human-wildlife conflict

Tiger mother, Reka, and cubs are doing well, according to a press release, and will remain in their private maternity den inside Big Cat Country for the next few months until the cubs are big enough to safely navigate their outdoor habitat.

The father, Maxim, can be seen by guests in his habitat at Big Cat Country.

The cubs are a significant contribution to the population in North American zoos as there are less than 500 Amur tigers left in the world, according to the press release, with the most living in the Russian Far East.

“The Animal Care Team has worked hard to support Reka throughout this journey, from introductions to Maxim to the birth of the cubs. It is incredibly rewarding to see her be such a gentle and attentive mom,” said Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores, St. Louis Zoo. 

Reka was born at the Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut and moved to St. Louis in 2021. Maxim was born at the Peoria Zoo in Illinois and moved to the St. Louis from the Indianapolis Zoo in 2022, according to the press release.

Reka and Maxim were paired on a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan, a program responsible for maintaining a healthy population of Amur tigers in North American zoos. 

"One of my favorite things about working here is seeing the team effort across the Zoo on behalf of the animals,” Hartell-DeNardo said.

“This includes careful observations of the tigers by the Animal Care team, hormonal analysis by our Research Department, the Veterinary Care team’s coordination of ultrasound training to monitor the pregnancy and cubs’ development, the Animal Nutrition team who ensures Reka and the babies’ dietary needs are met and even our Facilities Management team helps to keep things working and building things to improve our ability to create overall exceptional well-being for our animals.”

As considered one of the most endangered cats in the world, Amur tigers face extinction in the wild due to habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

For more information about the tiger cubs, click here.