Riga, April 14 (LETA) - A pair of Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), Taiga and Augusts, had cubs on December 16 at the Riga National Zoo, the zoo informed LETA.

The two tiger cubs are girls, but they have not yet been named. They are becoming more active and, following their mother Taiga's instructions, are learning the skills necessary for a predator.

Riga Zoo follows modern methods of caring for predatory cats, allowing them to maintain and develop their natural instincts as much as possible. The cubs are not handled or habituated to the presence of humans so that they can develop true predator and hunter instincts, the zoo explains.

The tiger mom is very careful and guards the cubs closely, so until now the tiger cubs have spent their days indoors where visitors cannot see them. From today, the tiger cubs will be able to go out on the playground, but it is up to their mother Taiga and the cubs themselves whether visitors will be able to see them.

The Amur tiger is the largest tiger subspecies and one of the rarest big cats in the world. In the wild, they are found only in the forests of the Far East - mainly in Russia and China. Amur tigers are seriously endangered, numbering fewer than 500 individuals in the wild. To help maintain a healthy captive population, Riga Zoo participates in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria breeding program for Amur tigers.

Elektrum has become the guardian of the Riga Zoo tiger family and is helping to ensure the tigers' welfare, quality food and veterinary care with its support.