Anya, an Amur tiger at the Magnetic Hill Zoo, got an early Mother's Day present — four healthy cubs.
The two males and two females, born on May 11, are all doing "very well," said Bernie Gallant, co-ordinator of the Moncton zoo.
They had their first veterinary checkup on Thursday and each weighed in at between 2.2 pounds and 4.4 pounds, he said.
"If you put your two hands together, basically they'll fit right in that," said Gallant.
"She is taking excellent care" of them.
Welcome news for the zoo's , who took over in April, after Bruce Dougan retired.
"Tiger cubs are quite fragile at birth and the first 48 hours are always critical," she explained.
Amur tigers, commonly known as Siberian tigers, or Panthera tigris altaica, are also endangered.
Only about 400 believed to exist in the forests of the Amur region in eastern Russia and border areas of China and possibly North Korea, according to officials.
Their population is dwindling because of over-hunting of prey, habitat loss, and poaching.
"We are pleased to welcome the cubs to our family," said Marvin.
"Tigers are an important part of our conservation efforts to protect the future of this species and to educate visitors about them."
This is the second litter born to Anya and her mate Alik, who were both brought to the zoo in 2014 as part of the Big Cat exhibit.
The first three cubs — two males and a female — were born in 2016 and are now housed at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo in Ontario.
Busy summer anticipated
It will be another approximately five weeks before the latest cubs are available for public viewing, said Gallant.
They will remain behind the scenes with their mother in their den, under the watchful eye of staff until they're bigger and stronger, he said.
"We're always very hopeful for the best, [but] we have to be prepared. So that's why we always … keep checking up on them, inspecting them, seeing how they're making out."
In the meantime, the zoo will provide updates on their progress on its Facebook page.
The cubs have already generated a lot of interest, with more than 700 shares and 200 comments posted within three hours of the zoo's announcement.
"This made my day!" write Sabrina Leger Savoie.
"Awe yay can't wait to show my children they will be so excited," wrote Amanda Duplessis.
"I know where I want to go for my birthday," wrote Samantha Macdonald.
Tony Duplissis posted he plans to be there taking photographs as soon as the cubs are on display.
Largest cats in world
"We expect it's going to be a very busy summer," said Gallant.
There is no word yet on naming the cubs. He expects plans will be finalized in the coming weeks.
The zoo will continue to mate the tigers as long as it can find homes for the cubs. Otherwise, steps will be taken to prevent breeding, officials have said.
Amur tigers, the world's largest cats, can grow up to nearly 11 feet in length and weigh as much as 660 pounds.