VIDEO: Names given to rare tiger cubs

Mishka (which means ‘little bear’ in Russian) was chosen by keepers from over 1,700 names sent in to the safari park to enter the shortlist which went back to a public vote last week. The name was suggested by Jessica Murray.

Milashki (which means ‘cutie’ in Russian) was named by Christine Ibbeson through a radio competition.

Amur tigers originate from Siberia in Russia, so the public was asked to suggest suitable Russian names for the cubs.

Born in September last year, the precious pair had been living together under the watchful eye of their mother, four-year-old tigress Minerva in the purpose-built Tiger House away from public view.

Here, the adorable duo spent autumn and Christmas learning to play, pounce, sharpen their claws, feed on meat and cause plenty of mischief. Their arrival was also the subject of a special feature on CBBC’s Blue Peter last month.

The cubs are are now old enough to live in the main nine-acre tiger enclosure (part of the Road Safari’s Kingdom of the Carnivores section).