Six Flags Welcomes Two Adorable Cubs to the Safari Family

There are two new adorable additions to the Six Flags Wild Animal Safari–two rare Siberian tiger cubs.

The precious pair were born on April 25 to mom Nadya ho was raised in a unique litter that also included an African lion cub named Zuri when the two were abandoned at birth four years ago. The unusual pairing — native to different continents — was hand-raised by the safari’s animal care team, and began a family tree built more on love than DNA.

The two female felines are named Heather and Julie after Heather Mitts Feeley and Julie Ertz, members of the United States women’s national soccer team. Carli, Nadya’s first-born cub, was named after soccer star Carli Lloyd and welcomed in 2019.

“It’s not uncommon for first-time tiger moms to abandon their cubs. Though Carli was hand-raised by our animal care team, Nadya has shown great care in raising Heather and Julie,” said Safari Veterinarian Dr. Ken Keiffer. “In the wild, cubs will spend two to three years with mom before they go off on their own.”  

Heather and Julie each weigh about 15 pounds, and will grow to be over 500. Siberian tigers, the largest cats in the world, are endangered and there are estimated to be fewer than 500 left in the wild.

Guests can visit Nadya, Heather, and Julie in the Tigris Asiana section of the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure. “Aunt” Zuri the African lion and sister Carli are always nearby.

Cubs: Courtesy Six Flags (YouTube)