Auckland Zoo’s Sumatran tiger cub Cahya turned one on Thursday, marking a milestone birthday for the four-week-old cub. In a post on Facebook, keeper Kristin shared that Cahya is becoming increasingly independent and sassy as she grows older.
Cahya is now almost 60 kilograms in weight and continues to thrive under the care of Auckland Zoo. The young tiger has shown off her playful side by engaging in voluntary healthcare training with the keepers, who are also trained to weigh and draw blood if needed for future health checks.
As a result, Cahya looks uncannily like her mother Zayana, which can make it tricky to tell them apart. Despite this, the tiger enjoys spending time with her mom, playing and wrestling together in the pool when suitable toys are provided.
Auckland Zoo says that watermelon is now on the menu for Cahya’s birthday celebration, a nod to her unique taste in birthday treats. The zoo has also reported that the four-week-old cub has been an absolute superstar during her healthcare training, where keepers learn to weigh and draw blood to ensure she stays healthy.
Cahya’s growth and development are being closely monitored by Auckland Zoo as she continues to grow into a confident and independent adult Sumatran tiger.
