Video: Adorable Malayan Tiger Cub Makes Lowry Park Zoo Debut

TAMPA, FL — A rare Malayan tiger cub with a plucky personality made her official public debut at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Wednesday. While Berisi was born a star due to her critically endangered status, zoo officials say her antics make her even more so.

Berisi, whose name means “plump,” was the first Malayan tiger cub ever born at Lowry Park Zoo. She came bounding into the world in September but was cared for off display until Wednesday. Her mother, Bzui, was at her side during her official public debut.

Zoo officials say the meaning of Berisi’s name couldn’t be more fitting for the rambunctious cub. As an “only child,” she has no siblings to compete with for her mom’s milk. As a result, she is "quite robust and stout,” the zoo reported in a media release. She already weighs in at 5.85 pounds.

She’s also a furry handful.

“Berisi has a spunky personality,” zoo officials said. “She likes to jump into the water, loves to tear up palm fronds and sneak up on mom.” Still learning to maneuver, though, she’s known to be awkward on her feet and is “a little clumsy.”

Berisi and Bzui are members of a critically endangered tiger subspecies that became officially recognized for the first time in 2004. The creatures are unique in that they are the smallest of all tigers, zoo officials say. Adult males only weigh in at an average of 260 pounds while their female counterparts tend to top out around 220 pounds.

Berisi’s parents, Bzui and Mata, were paired for breeding by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Malayan Tiger Species Survival Plan. Bzui arrived in Tampa last spring to meet her mate.

Malayan tigers face rapid habitat loss and poaching in the wild, Lowry Park explained in a media release. The creatures have a natural range that only includes the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia and the southern portion of Thailand, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

To check out Berisi in person, visit Lowry Park Zoo. More information about the zoo, ticket prices and hours can be found on the Lowry Park Zoo website.

To learn more about the Association of Zoos & Aquariums species survival efforts, visit that organization online.

Photo and video courtesy of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo