3 new tiger cubs bred in Manila Zoo

MANILA, Philippines -  The Manila Zoo has successfully bred three tiger cubs, a cross breed of Siberian and Bengal tigers, which are the latest addition to the family of animals there.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, parks and recreation bureau director engineer Deng Manimbo, chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman and department of public services chief retired Col. Carlos Baltazar, were joined by children from nearby day care centers in witnessing the first public appearance of the tiger cubs named Pedring, Quiel and Ramon, after the recent typhoons that hit the country.

The cubs were born on Aug. 4. Their father is a Bengal tiger from India while the mother is a Siberian tiger from Russia, which were donated to to the zoo in 2008.

In his brief message, Lim chided those calling for the closure of the zoo, reiterating that it will not happen during his administration.

He also gave assurance that all the animals at Manila Zoo are fed well and taken care of, contrary to the claim of its critics.

Manimbo said the zoo employs at least five veterinarians and spends about P14 million annually on food and vitamins alone.