Dreamworld theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast has seen the birth of a litter of Sumatran tiger cubs, born at 7.45am on 31 March, as part of an international breeding programme.

Dreamworld’s chief operating officer, Kevin Bradley, said: “This is the very first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs born at Tiger Island. In 1998, we welcomed our Bengal tiger cubs, including the birth of the first white tiger in Australia. Almost a decade later, we celebrate another win for Dreamworld’s tiger breeding program.

“The primary focus at this point is the health and well-being of the mother, Soraya, and her cubs, and I’m pleased to report that presently, all are doing well.”

The cubs will remain in their den box until they are 2-3 three weeks old, where the public can view them through CCTV monitors. After that they will be moved into a purpose-built nursery.

The Gold Coast’s first Sumatran Tiger, Soraya, arrived at Dreamworld from Tier Park Zoo in Berlin, Germany, on 30 October 2003 as part of The Australasian Species Management Program for Sumatran tigers, internationally recognised and supported by governments throughout the region.

Three-year-old Raja was selected by the international stud book co-ordinator for Sumatran tigers as a mate for Soraya and arrived at Dreamworld from Zoo Krefeld in Germany on 1 December 2005. With less than 400 left in the wild, Sumatran tigers are listed as one of the world’s most critically endangered species by the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).