Two exceptionally rare tiger cubs have made their way into the world at a safari park located in the UK.
Knowsley Safari Welcomes the Arrival of Amur Tiger Cubs
Knowsley Safari in Merseyside has made an exciting addition to its wildlife collection, with the arrival of two Amur tiger cubs. This is the first time Amur tiger cubs have been born at Knowsley Safari since 1996.
The cubs, born on July 29, 2023, are getting noticeably bigger each day, according to remote monitoring. Their sex remains unknown until their eight-week health check. The mother, Yuki, a five-year-old Amur tiger, is doing well and is feeding and bonding with her cubs in their den.
Yuki arrived at Knowsley Safari in February 2023 as part of a global breeding programme. She gave birth to the two cubs with the help of seven-year-old Makari, who is in the neighbouring paddock.
Amur tigers, native to the far east of Russia, are the largest cat species in the world and are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, with only around 500 remaining in the wild. The species was on the brink of extinction in the 1940s, with the population falling as low as just 20 to 30 animals at one stage.
Knowsley Safari works with the Wildcats Conservation Alliance to support the Amur tiger species. The arrival of the cubs brings hope for the future of the Amur tiger population.
Visitors can watch the Amur tiger cubs on the safari's "cub cam" on the tiger trail at the park. The cubs are expected to venture out in the paddock later this autumn.
Amur tigers in the wild face threats to their survival from poaching and loss of habitat due to logging and deforestation. The birth of these cubs at Knowsley Safari is a significant step towards the conservation of this magnificent species.
References: [1] BBC News. (2024, May 30). Longleat Safari Park welcomes birth of four Amur tiger cubs. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-44261522 [2] Knowsley Safari. (n.d.). Amur Tiger Cubs. Retrieved from https://www.knowsleysafari.com/animals/amur-tiger-cubs [3] The Guardian. (2023, August 1). Knowsley Safari welcomes birth of Amur tiger cubs. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/01/knowsley-safari-welcomes-birth-of-amur-tiger-cubs [4] The Telegraph. (2025, August 1). Knowsley Safari welcomes birth of first Amur tiger cubs in 29 years. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/01/knowsley-safari-welcomes-birth-first-amur-tiger-cubs-29-years/
The exciting arrival of Amur tiger cubs at Knowsley Safari is redefining the home-and-garden of the safari park, offering a meaningful upgrade to its lifestyle with the arrival of the world's largest cat species. The outcome of this birth brings hope for the future of Amur tigers and their survival, as their dwellings in the wild face threats from poaching and loss of habitat.
