Rare Sumatran tiger cub TWINS emerge from their den at Chester Zoo for the first time 

With only 350 individuals thought to live in the wild, the Sumatran tiger is one of the world’s rarest tiger subspecies.

But new hope was sparked for the critically endangered species after the birth of not just one, but two tigers at Chester Zoo.

The adorable cubs were born on January 7 and have bonded with their parents, Kasarna and Dash ever since.

This week, the cubs came out of their den for the first time and photographers were on hand to capture the precious moment.

“The cubs are still a bit shy and jump in and out of the den with mama Kasarna, but it’s going to be a real privilege to watch them grow in confidence and really start to show their feisty personalities,” said Dayna Thain, Carnivore Keeper at Chester Zoo.

This week, the cubs came out of their den for the first time and photographers were on hand to capture the precious moment

Sumatran or Sunda tigers are the smallest surviving tiger subspecies and are distinguished by heavy black stripes on their orange coats.

In the wild, it is estimated that less than 400 tigers live on the island of Sumatra, largely due to deforestation and poaching.

The twin cubs were born in January, but spent the first three months in their den, where their parents kept a close eye on them – as well as the zookeepers, via CCTV.

“We have been watching Kasarna closely on our CCTV cameras as she comes to grips with motherhood and her first litter of cubs. It’s a real privilege and incredibly special to watch,” said Dave Hall, Carnivore Team Manager at Chester Zoo, after their birth in January.

However, the adorable cubs have now ventured out for some “rough and tumble,” allowing zookeepers to identify them as females.

Zookeepers have named one cub Alif – a popular name in Indonesia – and the other Raya, after Mount Raya in Sumatra.

The twin cubs were born in January, but spent the first three months in their den, where their parents kept a close eye on them – as well as the zookeepers, via CCTV

Zookeepers have named one cub Alif – a popular name in Indonesia – and the other Raya, after Mount Raya in Sumatra

“These majestic animals are hanging by a thread in Sumatra,” said Ms. Thain.

“They are one of the rarest tiger subspecies in the world and it is absolutely amazing to see these two cubs blossoming here.

“Critically, with so few Sumatran tigers on the planet, the girls of Kasarna are vital to the conservation breeding program that works tirelessly to prevent the species from going extinct.”

The tiger cubs aren’t the only newcomers to Chester Zoo in recent months – the world’s rarest chimpanzee was born late last year.

The western chimpanzee baby was born on Dec. 9 after an eight-month pregnancy.

Andrew Lenihan, team manager at the attraction, said: ‘We are incredibly proud to see a precious new baby in the chimpanzee troop.

“Mama ZeeZee and her new addition bonded instantly and she’s doing a great job of holding him close and taking care of him.”