Denver's tiger cubs meet the outside world

Posted: Sep 1, 2010 9:39 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Sep 1, 2010 10:43 AM

Meet the quadruplets! The Denver Zoo's four endangered, Amur tiger cubs took their first dip in the outdoor pool and roll in the dirt Monday as they explored their outdoor habitat for the first time.

Females Zaria and Akasha and males Nikolai and Thimbu - were each given a clean bill of health. If you want to see them yourself, they'll be outdoors this holiday weekend. The best time to see them will be between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The cubs were born May 31, and are the first of their species to be born at Denver Zoo since 2003.

According to the Denver Zoo, Amur tigers are classified as critically endangered, with an estimated population of less than 400 in the wild. These animals were once called Siberian tigers because they were found throughout Siberia. They are now almost completely confined to the Far East portion of Asia along the Amur River and because of this they are now commonly called Amur tigers.

In addition to habitat loss, the biggest threats to these tigers comes from poaching, both for their fur and their other body parts which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Directions to the Denver Zoo: Take I-25 North to Colorado Boulevard (exit #204). Go north on Colorado Boulevard for 5 miles to 23rd Avenue and turn left (west). The main entrance is on 23rd Avenue about 1/2 mile down on the left (south).

Admission: