Sumatran tiger

He’s sleek, he’s handsome, and he’s the newest tiger at our zoo.

Bandar, born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Aug. 5, 2013, arrived here in January, 2019 to be a potential mate for Kali and Kirana. We’re hoping he’ll help his endangered species grow in numbers through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

Kirana was born Oct. 8, 2014 here at the Zoo (Kali is her big sister).

Kirana has always preferred to watch and learn before interacting with something or someone. As a young cub she would wander off from her mother and sisters every so often, then realize she was alone and cry until her mother found her! Now, thanks to keeper help and training, she’s more confident.

She’s also really good at standing super-still while having an ultrasound taken: tolerating a probe covered with gel and staff members around reading the monitor to check her health. She loves chunk meat, and her favorite popsicles are cooked and frozen chicken. But she’s also a great hunter, and loves taking advantage of any squirrels that come into her territory!

Kali is the big sister of Kirana, born here April 17, 2013. Because she was hand-raised, she’s very interactive with her keepers. Kali loves attention and will sometimes whine when she thinks she’s not getting enough of it, keepers say! She’s pretty laid back most of the time but will protect what’s important to her – like her dinner.

Unlike most tigers, she isn’t a huge fan of swimming. But she’s a training rock star, say keepers, lying still as long as they need her to for important health tests. She has a lot of energy, and likes to play with a weighted ball that comes back up if you push it down.

And of course, being a cat, she loves rabbits and “blood-sicles” for treats!