Friday, July 25, 2025, 10:58AM | 
MENU
Advertisement

Zoo's tiger cub named Billy Ray

Zoo's tiger cub named Billy Ray

Billy Ray is the new name of the tiger cub born on Mother's Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

The cub, which now weighs 30 pounds and has been hand-fed by zookeepers since birth because his mother refused to nurse him, was named by zoo donors in honor of a deceased family member who was a big fan of singer Billy Ray Cyrus. The new name was announced today.

"He is very curious and loves to play in his new outdoor yard at the snow leopard exhibit," Kathy Suthard, lead cat keeper, said. "He also is starting to develop some of his natural instincts like hunting. It is funny to see him crouch down and slowly advance on any birds that fly into the exhibit. He doesn't catch them yet, but he will."

Advertisement

The next milestone for the little cub is weaning him from his human playmates.

"He is bigger now and very rough with his play," said Ms. Suthard. "We can't interact with him like we used to, which is hard for all of us. We miss playing with him."

He is eating more than three pounds of meat a day.

Billy Ray was born on May 11; his mother, Toma, has refused to nurse him.

Advertisement

Billy Ray will grow to about 11 feet long and weigh more than 450 pounds. Adult Amur tigers are solitary animals in the wild and their mother usually weans them within one year.

The zoo is working on finding a mate for Billy Ray until he is old enough to be on his own.

Amur tigers, more commonly known as Siberian tigers, are a critically endangered species due to habitat destruction and the illegal fur trade. There are currently only an estimated 400 Amur tigers in the wild and approximately 190 Amur tigers managed in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' accredited zoos.

First Published: September 10, 2008, 3:30 p.m.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
New Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, (4), hauls in a pass during practice on the first day of Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe Thursday, July 24, 2025.
1
sports
Steelers training camp observations: Aaron Rodgers-DK Metcalf connection is a work in progress
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signals after a play during the first day of Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
2
sports
Despite inauspicious first pass, new Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers thrilled with early progress
The interior of Cafe Notte -- which means "night" in Italian -- has been refreshed after a visit from a celebrity chef.
3
life
Cafe Notte sharpens its focus after transformation via a major TV makeover show
John Fetterman and his wife Gisele Barreto Fetterman leave New Hope Baptist Church, 445 6th St., Braddock, after voting on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2022.
4
news
Gisele Fetterman is not enthused about John Fetterman ever seeking higher office
Pittsburgh Steeler Patrick Queen reports to 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Trading Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Wednesday, July 17, 2025.
5
sports
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 07.24.25
Advertisement
LATEST breaking
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story