A three-week-old endangered Sumatran tiger cub made her first public appearance at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Thursday, May 9. She also received her name: Kali (pronounced KAH-lee). 
“She’s spunky, robust and energetic,” said zoo staff biologist Steven Ok.
The tiger was born April 17 to mom Jaya and dad Malosi. Kali weighed about 2.5 pounds at birth and now tips the scales at just over 8 pounds. She’s getting fed five times a day. Two of those feedings, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., are open for public viewing, when zoo visitors can watch the keepers interact with Kali.
She’ll be living in the Cub Den, which has a glass window for viewing, but, like most newborns, she likely will sleep most of the day and the public may get only peek-a-boo views at other times of the day.
Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. Kali is only the third Sumatran tiger born in North America this year. There are 74 Sumatran tigers in North American zoos, and an estimated 300 left in their native habitat on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.
For more information, visit www.pdza.org.
Photo credit: Jesse Michener/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
