The probability of a snow tiger being born is about 1 in 100,000, and five cubs at once is even more remarkable.
The odds of a snow tiger being born are about 1 in 100,000, and five cubs at once is even more remarkable.
But that's exactly what happened when Bing Bing, a mother snow tiger at the Ji’nan Wild World zoo in eastern China, gave birth last week to quintuplet cubs.
“The tiger cubs are all in good shape,” said Li Yang, who runs the breeding program at the zoo. "After observation, we’ve decided to let the mother take care of them as it is good [for] the cubs in terms of behavior, individuality and health conditions."
Li explained the snow tiger — not to be confused with white tiger — is a rare breed of a Bengal tiger.
The breed is endangered, so the five newborn cubs are crucial for the breed’s survival.
"These tigers are really precious," Yang said.
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