Twelve Siberian tiger cubs are charming visitors at a park in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, as they continue to grow stronger under round-the-clock human care.
Born earlier this spring at the Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, the 12 cubs are now actively exploring their surroundings - sniffing, tumbling, and displaying playful behavior that has quickly captured public attention.
Currently, the largest of the 12 Siberian tiger cubs is nearly two months old, while the youngest is about to reach one month.
Due to insufficient milk from their mothers, the tiger cubs and eight African lion cubs in the park are being hand-fed by caregivers.
"We've set up a special team to provide more scientific feeding and care for the tiger cubs. By monitoring their health status, body temperature, weight, defecation, and other daily checks, we ensure their healthy growth," said Li Dapeng, deputy director of the Veterinary Department of the park.
From May to June each year, the Siberian tiger enters its peak breeding period.
With the breeding peak approaching, the park expects the total number of Siberian tiger cubs born this year to exceed 20.
The Siberian tiger, a species on the national first-class protection list in China, is also one of the flagship species for global biodiversity conservation.
Siberian tiger cubs delight visitors in northeast China park
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
