Three Bengal Tiger Cubs Become Semarang Zoo’s New Attraction

Semarang (ANTARA) — Three Bengal tiger cubs, two males and one female, have become a new attraction for visitors to Semarang Zoo.

Semarang Zoo’s Conservation Coordinator, veterinarian Yudi Ardianto, said in Semarang on Monday that the cubs, aged two and a half months, were born under a breeding programme intended to preserve the genetic purity of the species.

The zoo is also seeking potential mates from other conservation institutions through animal exchanges, donations or breeding loans to prevent inbreeding, he said.

He said all three cubs were healthy and were being cared for through a combination of attention from their mother and care from the keepers.

The cubs were born to a male tiger named Rangga and a female named Manis. They have been named Nara (female), Lawang and Semar.

The names were chosen by Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti. Nara comes from Pandanaran, Lawang from Lawang Sewu, and Semar from Semarang.

“We use semi-handling for their care: we return them to their mother, while gradually familiarising the cubs with training,” he said.

The approach is intended to get the cubs used to interacting with keepers and Semarang Zoo’s medical team during routine health checks and treatment if they fall ill.

“This means that, in future, if the cubs need any care or treatment, we will not have to take additional steps to approach them,” he said.

The three Bengal tiger cubs have begun learning to eat chicken or beef, he added.

The mother tiger has accepted the semi-handling approach. She is not overly aggressive when the keepers take the cubs away and does not reject them when they are returned.

“The mother remains in good health and is still trying to care for them properly by grooming them and encouraging them to play,” he said.

Separately, Semarang Zoo Marketing Manager Ikha Oktaviani announced new admission prices.

“Tickets to Semarang Zoo now cost Rp10,000 for Semarang residents and Rp15,000 for people from outside the city. The prices are valid until the end of this year,” she said.

The admission prices do not include additional activities, such as interacting or having photographs taken with the tiger cubs, camel or horse rides, or interacting with, photographing and feeding elephants.

She said Semarang Zoo was looking much better and was better prepared for a surge in visitors ahead of the transition from 2026 to 2027.