New Tiger Cub At Six Flags Named For NJ Soccer Star Carli Lloyd

JACKSON, NJ — Three years ago, Nadya was part of a special litter of cubs at Six Flags Great Adventure — the tiger half of the tiger-lion combo that the park raised together as cubs.

Now Nadya is a mother: Six Flags Great Adventure announced Nadya has given birth to her first cub, just the second Siberian tiger cub born in the park's safari in 15 years.

Nadya and Zuri, the African lion paired with Nadya, still live together at the safari, Six Flags said in a news release about the new tiger cub. Read more: Six Flags Shows Off Lion, Tiger Cubs It's Raising Together

The new cub is now 6 weeks old and is named Carli, in honor of soccer great and New Jersey native Carli Lloyd. She is being hand-raised by the animal care team.

"Nadya showed great mothering skills at first; but when she failed to nurse her cub, we stepped in," said Dr. Ken Keiffer, safari veterinarian. "Today, Carli is doing extremely well. She weighs 12 pounds and when full grown, will weigh more than 500 pounds. Her large paws are indicative of the massive cat she will grow to become one day."

Nadya and Zuri were raised together when safari staff had to step in because the cubs' mothers were not caring for them, the park said at the time.

The animal care team plans to reintroduce Carli to her mother and "unique aunt" when she is older.

"Tigers are typically solitary animals, while lions are more social," Keiffer said. "The strong bond that Carli’s mom Nadya shares with lion Zuri will hopefully mean that the trio will become their own pride one day."

Siberian tigers are endangered and rank as the largest cats in the world. There are estimated to be fewer than 500 Siberian tigers left in the wild.

The park said visitors will be able to see Carli in Six Flags Great Adventure’s Safari Discoveries section soon.

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