Sumatran tigers are a critically endangered species. In fact, there are only 350 of them left in the world.

Victims to the illegal pet trade, poaching, and hunting, the Sumatran tigers need as much protection as they can get. Because if they’re not protected, they could become extinct.

“Found throughout the forests and grasslands of Borneo and Sumatra, these big cats are the smallest of all remaining tiger species. They are an impressive and powerful hunter with the ability to jump up to five metres in length! Using their stealthy stalking abilities, they will successfully hunt deer, pigs, jungle fowl and fish. Like all tiger species, their beautiful orange and black striped coat is unique to every individual, just like our fingerprints!” Australia Zoo described the Sumatran tigers on their website.

Kaitlyn is one of the Sumatran tigers living at the Australia Zoo. And Kaitlyn was pregnant during this time.

This was the event that the staff at Australia Zoo had been waiting for. It’s the moment when more Sumatran tigers are born into the world.

It’s nine in the morning and Kaitlyn has gone into labor. Tiger expert Giles Clark is by Kaitlyn’s side to make sure that the birth goes without a hitch.

“Giles has a really close relationship with Kaitlyn. And I think he knows better how to read her than anyone else,” a staff member at the Australia Zoo said.

But with anything in life, it’s hard to control it. It’s hard to say whether the birth will go smoothly or if it’ll have problem after problem.

“But, in circumstances like this, she’s never given birth before,” she added. “This is all new for her and instincts are going to come to play. We can’t really predict if she’s going to get upset with him or she’ll totally accept it. It could be a dangerous situation.”

And Giles and his team are ready.

In fact, they’ve been preparing for moments like this every day. Giles and his team of 8 handlers have a unique approach to animal husbandry; they have a hands-on relationship with their tigers which has been built up over many years. Getting up close and personal to one of nature’s greatest predators isn’t about thrill-seeking.

Giles believes this close contact improves the tigers’ quality of life, and they enrich the cats’ lives through daily walks and play.

And now, it’s almost time.

Kaitlyn was staying in an enclosure filled with hay to make her comfortable. And it’s a good thing. Because by 4 pm, Kaitlyn was already experiencing strong contractions.

While Giles watches the birth from Kaitlyn’s side, everyone was at the office watching the live feed of the birth on a monitor. No one talks. All their eyes are glued on the monitor.

Finally, the amniotic sac comes out, which means the first cub is on his way.

At first, the cub seemed to have a hard time coming out. Then, he shoots out in one motion!

Giles and the entire team cheered when the first cub came out. Giles urges Kaitlyn to lick her cub.

“The sensation of Kaitlyn’s licking should trigger the cub’s lungs to start working,” BBC Earth narrated.

It took two minutes and a lot of licking for the cub to start breathing on his own.

They were worried at first because gasps were the only sound coming out from the cub. But with a mother’s persistence, she was able to help her cub breathe.

A little more than ten minutes later, Kaitlyn’s eyes went big, which meant the second cub was on his way out. Unlike the first cub, this second cub pushed his way out of his mother.

Finally, the mother and her two sons are physically together.

Giles lets them enjoy their moments together before he takes home the cubs to make sure they survive.

Would you like to watch the moment when Hunter and Clarence enter the world? Watch the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: BBC Earth