Three week old cub thought to have drowned in enclosure pool

Just a few weeks after ZSL London Zoo excitedly announced the birth of its first tiger cub in 17 years, the young cub has sadly been found dead in its enclosure.

Keepers believe that first-time mother Melati carried her cub into the outdoor paddock in the early hours of Saturday morning (October 12). It is thought that the Sumatran cub then drowned after falling into the pool.

The cub had not yet been named or sexed as it was too young, having been born only three weeks ago on Sunday, September 22.

Melati's pregnancy had been kept a strict secret as keepers wanted to observe her closely through hidden cameras without disturbing her.

Keepers say the adult female can be a very nervous tiger who responds best to routine. According to the zoo, there were concerns that changing Melati's environment, for example by shutting off access to the pool, could cause her to injure or abandon her cub.

"We’re heartbroken by what’s happened," said curator Malcolm Fitzpatrick. "We didn’t want to put her on edge by changing her surroundings or routines, in case she abandoned or attacked the cub. At the time we thought it was in the best interests of Melati and her cub to allow her continued access to the full enclosure as normal.

"We would do anything to turn back the clock, and nobody could be more upset about what’s happened than the keepers who work with the tigers every day. They are devoted to those tigers and are distraught."

The cub's arrival came just six months after new exhibit Tiger Territory opened to encourage breeding within the critically endangered species. Keepers reported shortly after the birth that Melati was proving to be a doting mother.

Following the incident, the zoo says it will be carrying out a full review of the circumstances.

Image courtesy of ZSL London Zoo