Three-week-old tiger  cubs at  Chester Zoo recently underwent their initial health assessments. The rare  cubs received examinations from zoo veterinarians and keepers, who determined their sexes, administered deworming treatments, implanted microchips for identification, and administered vaccinations for cat flu.

According to Tim Rowlands, the Curator of Mammals, the cubs received standard vaccinations similar to those given to domestic cats during veterinary visits, but with extra caution due to their young age.

Watch the video at the end.

Each cub, native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra in the wild, underwent weighing and a general health check-up. Veterinary Officer Livia Benato confirmed that all three female  cubs were in good health.

Keeper Alan Woodward expressed joy at the revelation that all three  cubs were female, stating, “It’s fantastic that we have three little angels as opposed to three wise men this Christmas.”

Born on October 21, the cubs are the offspring of parents Kirana and Fabi. Their arrival marks a significant success for the zoo.

It provides hope for the species’ future, as the Sumatran tiger population in the wild is critically endangered, with only about 400 individuals remaining due to poaching for traditional medicine.

The cubs will join a European-wide breeding program, offering vital genetic diversity and a safety net if wild populations face extinction.