ZSL London Zoo welcomed critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs in July after the 10-year-old Gaysha gave birth to triplets.
After the cubs celebrated their four-month birthday, the zoo revealed the little tigers’ names and sexes.
Gaysha has a girl and two boys - called Inca, Zac and Crispin respectively.
“Inca, Zac and Crispin are great names for these feisty cubs – now four months old and growing fast,” the zoo’s tiger keeper, Martin O’Sullivan, said.
“Inca loves her food and is always ready to defend a bit of chicken from her brothers if necessary. Crispin is a little quieter than his two boisterous siblings and is definitely a mummy’s boy - preferring to snuggle up to Gaysha in the sun - while Zac is the largest cub and loves playfighting with his sister, getting an early start on developing their hunting skills.
“We can tell the trio apart by the stripe patterns on their faces, which are unique to every tiger - we’re delighted that all three have now been officially named.”
The zoo had announced that it would have to wait for three months before it could confirm the cubs’ sexes and give them appropriate names.
So, when the time arrived, the zoo decided to make it an auction item at its Safari in the City Gala in September, giving people the chance to name the cubs.
Zoo officials say the cubs love being in their paddock with their mum and dad. They have been playing hide and seek in the Tiger Territory of the zoo as they practise their camouflage skills.
The trio are part of a global conservation effort to protect their species through a collaborative European breeding programme among zoos. With only about 300 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, zoo officials say the three new cubs represent a fantastic boost to conservation.
