Two rare Amur tiger cubs born to first-time parents at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul now bear the names Maks and Marisa, which carry special meaning for the critically endangered species also known as the Siberian tiger.

The tiger babies — the first tigers birthed at the zoo in 41 years — were born on Aug. 29 as part of a breeding effort recommended by the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan, a conservation program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They’ve remained off-exhibit since then in a private maternity den with their mother, Bernadette.

Marisa, which means “spirited and tenacious,” is also the name of a retired Cat Zookeeper who was instrumental in the care of large cats during her 43 years at the zoo. Maks, which means “the greatest” or “strength and leadership,” is meant to speak to the male cub’s “confident demeanor and growing sense of leadership,” according to a statement from Como Zoo officials.

The names were chosen by a pair of longtime zoo volunteers. The public will get its chance to the meet mom with her new tiger cubs, though not quite yet, said zoo officials, who promised to update their progress on the Como Zoo website and social media channels.

Bernadette, their 7-year-old mother, was born at the Milwaukee County Zoo and arrived at Como from the Oregon Zoo in 2023. Tsar, their 11-year-old father, was born at the Sedgwick County Zoo and came to Como in 2019. They are both first-time parents, and Tsar remains on display in his habitat.

There are believed to be fewer than 500 Amur tigers alive in the wild, with most of them concentrated around the Amur River in Russia’s far eastern region.

The Como Zoo is seeking $25.6 million in funding through the state bonding appropriation to enhance its Big Cat Habitat with new amenities, including a more immersive visitors experience, as well as Americans with Disabilities Act and energy-efficiency upgrades.

Andrei and Amaliya, a pair of Amur tiger cubs born in May at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, made their public debut in September.

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