Fresno Chaffee Zoo's Malayan tiger cubs celebrate first birthday

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A big celebration was held for a group of youngsters at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Four Malayan tiger cubs celebrated their first birthday on Monday with the help of some zoo guests. The crowd sang happy birthday to the tigers as they opened their presents.

Zoo officials say this last year has been very special. "It's been a lot of fun watching them grow up over the past year, so we just wanted to celebrate the milestone of them being a year old and happy and healthy," Fresno Chaffee Zoo marketing manager Ciara Norton said.

Malayan tigers are considered an endangered species; there are only 500 left in the wild in their native Thailand. The Chaffee Zoo cubs are part of a larger worldwide program designed to help maintain healthy tiger populations.