Sumatran tiger

Raja is our newest tiger! Born in 2019, he came to our Zoo in summer 2021.

Although his name means “king” or “prince,” he’s a laid-back cat who loves to roll in the grass, play with everything and watch the other animals around him.

As part of the Species Survival Plan for Sumatran tigers, Raja is recommended to breed with any of our three females: sisters Kali, Kirana and Indah. But until then, he’ll just spend time settling in.

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!

He’s sleek, he’s handsome, and he’s a potential father.

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.

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!

Indah is one of the tiger triplets born at Point Defiance Zoo in 2014. For nearly two years, visitors had the rare privilege of watching the three young tigers grow from small bundles of orange and black fluff to maturing adolescents. In 2016, Indah left Point Defiance Zoo as part of a recommendation by the Species Survival Plan® for Sumatran tigers. In 2021, we welcomed her back home to Tacoma. Her sister, Kirana, also remains at Point Defiance Zoo.

Keepers describe Indah as a “calm, mellow tiger who goes with the flow.” They say she’s also very social and personable, and chuffs at the other tigers, “a tiger sign of friendliness.” She is a fast learner and loves to explore.