The recent birth of a female Sumatran tiger cub at a zoo in Bukittinggi, Indonesia, has boosted hopes for the critically endangered species. "The birth of Banun Kinantan gives us hope that future generations will also know what the Sumatran tiger is like," says Silvirawane Ria Putri, head of Bukittinggi conservation tourism division. According to the agency, the population of Sumatran tigers continues to decrease. There are currently fewer than 90 Sumatran tigers at conservation agencies around the world, while the estimated population in the wild is around 600. The main threats to Sumatran tigers are deforestation and illegal hunting. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES