In August 2013, two rare Sumatran tiger cubs, named Spot and Stripe, were born at Australia Zoo—a momentous event considering how few cubs survive in captivity. Their early lives were captured in the 2014 BBC documentary Tigers About the House, where tiger expert Giles Clark took on the role of their dedicated caretaker.
With fewer than 350 Sumatran tigers left in the wild due to deforestation and poaching, these births marked a major win for conservation. The cubs, now known as Hunter and Clarence, have since grown into healthy adults.
Though Hunter later lost his eyesight due to a genetic condition, he continues to thrive with expert support. Clarence, on the other hand, has fathered cubs at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo—helping to keep the endangered species alive for future generations.
Their story is a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and proper care can help endangered animals beat the odds and inspire global conservation efforts.
