Tiger cub is a boy! Or so it appears, says National Zoo

The cub's birth on July 11 marked an important milestone for the Smithsonian National Zoo: while it's the second letter for the cub's mother, it is the first litter for the cub's 13-year-old father. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Craig Saffoe)

WASHINGTON — It’s a big day for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s new Sumatran tiger cub.

Two weeks after being born, zookeepers can now say the little cub is a boy. Or, at least it appears that way.

“It can be difficult to determine the sex of a neonate cat because genitalia can look very similar for the first few weeks,” said Craig Saffoe, the curator of the Great Cats exhibit. “However, at a glance, it appears that Damai [the cub’s mother] has a male cub! His first veterinary exam will take place in a couple of weeks, which includes a physical exam and vaccinations. We should be able to confirm the Cub’s sex during that exam.”

The Great Cat keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo said that the 2-week-old Sumatran tiger cub appears to be a boy and appears to be strong and healthy. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The Great Cat keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo said that the 2-week-old Sumatran tiger cub appears to be a boy and appears to be strong and healthy. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The cub's birth on July 11 marked an important milestone for the Smithsonian National Zoo: while it's the second letter for the cub's mother, it is the first litter for the cub's 13-year-old father. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Craig Saffoe)
The cub’s birth on July 11 marked an important milestone for the Smithsonian National Zoo: while it’s the second litter for the cub’s mother, it is the first litter for the cub’s 13-year-old father. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Craig Saffoe)
The tiger cub will not make his public debut at the zoo until later this fall, but visitor's can see the cub's father, Sparky, and half-brother, 3-year-old Bandar at the Great Cats habitat. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The tiger cub will not make his public debut at the zoo until later this fall, but visitor’s can see the cub’s father, Sparky, and 3-year-old half-brother, Bandar, at the Great Cats habitat. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The Sumatran tiger cub is part of the Zoo's Great Cats habitat. It is estimated that between 300 and 400 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild. Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel
The Sumatran tiger cub is part of the Zoo’s Great Cats habitat. It is estimated that between 300 and 400 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
As of July 26, this little tiger cub weighed only 6 pounds, 8 ounces, but once fully grown it will weigh between 220 and 310 pounds. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
As of July 26, this little tiger cub weighed only 6 pounds, 8 ounces, but once fully grown it will weigh between 220 and 310 pounds. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
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The Great Cat keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo said that the 2-week-old Sumatran tiger cub appears to be a boy and appears to be strong and healthy. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The cub's birth on July 11 marked an important milestone for the Smithsonian National Zoo: while it's the second letter for the cub's mother, it is the first litter for the cub's 13-year-old father. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Craig Saffoe)
The tiger cub will not make his public debut at the zoo until later this fall, but visitor's can see the cub's father, Sparky, and half-brother, 3-year-old Bandar at the Great Cats habitat. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The Sumatran tiger cub is part of the Zoo's Great Cats habitat. It is estimated that between 300 and 400 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild. Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel
As of July 26, this little tiger cub weighed only 6 pounds, 8 ounces, but once fully grown it will weigh between 220 and 310 pounds. (Courtesy Smithsonian National Zoo/Roshan Patel)
The cub is the second litter for his mother, Damai, but it’s the first litter for his 13-year-old father, Sparky.

Keepers are monitoring Damai and her offspring via closed-circuit camera so the family has time to bond.

The cub won’t make his big debut to the public until the fall, but visitors can still see his father and half-brother, 3-year-old Bandar.

It’s good timing for the cub as well. Saturday is Global Tiger Day. It’s estimated that there are only between 300 and 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild.

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