Voting is presented by Norton Children’s

The Louisville Zoo is inviting the public to help name one of its newest additions, a male Sumatran tiger cub born on July 23, 2024. Norton Children’s is presenting the opportunity to vote on the cub’s name, marking the first time a Sumatran tiger cub has been born at the Zoo in 20 years.

The zookeepers at the Islands have selected three potential names that reflect the importance of this cub and honor his parents:

• Satu (sah-too): Means “one” in Indonesian. With less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, every cub is vital for the survival of this critically endangered species.  

• Saya Sambal (Sigh-ya-sah-m-ball): Honors his dad, Kami Sambal, who passed away on August 20, 2024.  Kami’s name means “we are spicy sauce” in Indonesian, referring to the wild nature of tigers, which are not domesticated and are often trafficked for the pet trade, leading to significant conservation issues.  “Saya Sambal” means “I am spicy sauce.”

• Kaji (kah-gee): A combination of both parents’ names, Kami and Jingga. Their legacy will live on through this cub, contributing to the conservation of Sumatran tigers for future generations.

Voting begins today and continues through Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 11 p.m. Guests can cast their votes once daily at louisvillezoo.org/namethetigercub. 

The mother and cub are currently off exhibit, bonding. Guests can check in on them via the Zoo’s live cam at louisvillezoo.org/cubcam.

About Sumatran Tigers

Sumatran Tigers, the last of the island tiger subspecies, are smaller than mainland tigers and are critically endangered. Fewer than 400 individuals are estimated to still survive in the wild.  Found only on Sumatra, their habitat is primarily threatened by the development of palm oil plantations. Palm oil is found in hundreds of foods, cosmetics and cleaning products. As worldwide demand for palm oil accelerates, so does the loss of vital tropical forests, which are home to thousands of unique plant and animal species. Choosing palm-oil free products or those containing sustainably grown palm oil helps preserve and protect wildlife and wild places.  

Zoo Hours

The Zoo is open daily year-round. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (guests can stay until 6 p.m.) through Sept. 22, 2024. From Sept. 23, 2024 – March 14, 2025, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guests exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information.