12:00p.m. 18th November 2008

| By Grainger Laffan

Hello world: Two of the three shy siblings born in Perth Zoo on August 20, 2008.

Photo Gallery: Sumatran tiger trio

Enlarge photos | View thumbnails

A tiger cub trio have made their first public appearance following a concerted cross-Australia effort to extend the numbers of the critically endangered species.

There are less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and the 13-week-old cubs will make a much-needed contribution to thwart their near extinction.

Their father, 12 year old Hari, is from the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve. He was transferred to Perth Zoo to breed with eight-year-old Setia - who herself was born in captivity in the zoo's first successful breeding exercise.

The shy trio - two males, Satri and Jaya, and a female, Melati - have spent their first three months away from the public so they could bond properly with Setia.

But now weighing more than 7.5kgs above their birth weight of 500 grams and graduating to solid foods, it is time for the youngsters to meet the public.

They will stay with their mother for at least 18 months before being resettled elsewhere in Australia or overseas to do their part for other breeding programs.