The Votes Are In: Dallas Zoo Names Its Sumatran Tiger Cub Rina After a Real Ranger
Dallas Zoo’s female Sumatran tiger cub finally has a name — and the public picked it.
The zoo announced that fans chose the name Rina for the female cub in a donation-based voting contest. But the name carries more weight than you might expect. She’s named in honor of Rina PA, a ranger with the Sumatran Ranger Project who protects the critically endangered species in the wild.
Her brother’s name, Serasi, honors another ranger from the same organization — one who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in Sumatra before his passing.
Both cubs were born Feb. 22, 2026, at the Dallas Zoo. Each weighed approximately 2.5 pounds at birth. Their mother is Sukacita, a Sumatran tiger who goes by Suki.
Here’s what you need to know about the naming contest, the story behind both names and when you might actually see these two in person at the Dallas Zoo.
How the Public Chose the Name
Dallas Zoo gave fans three options in the naming contest, each with a connection to Sumatra.
Rina honored Rina PA, a ranger with the Sumatran Ranger Project. Alya, the second option, means “sky” or “heaven” in Arabic. The third choice, Merapi, is the name of the most active volcano in Sumatra.
Rina won the vote. The contest was donation-based, with proceeds supporting conservation efforts for Sumatran tigers. The vote gave fans a role in something bigger than picking a name — it raised money for a species with fewer than 600 individuals left in the wild, according to the Dallas Zoo.
The Brother’s Name Tells a Different Story
While fans chose Rina’s name, the zoo’s animal care team selected the male cub’s name themselves. They called him Serasi, in tribute to a ranger from the Sumatran Ranger Project who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in Sumatra before his passing.
The two names together link a pair of tiger cubs born in a Dallas zoo to the rangers protecting their species thousands of miles away — one still active, one remembered after his death.
The Cubs Made Their Habitat Debut on the Same Day
The naming announcement came with a bonus. On the same day, both Rina and Serasi stepped onto their habitat for the very first time.
Their personalities showed up immediately — and they couldn’t be more different. Rina ventured out with Suki and started taking in the space with clear confidence, already showing off some independence from her mother. Serasi took a slower approach, easing into the new environment and staying closer to Suki as he built comfort at his own pace.
The zoo shared the full announcement on Instagram:
“Thanks to your incredible support, the votes are in and our female cub’s name is Rina. Her name honors Rina PA, a ranger with the @sumatranrangerproject. Her brother, Serasi, was named by our animal care team in tribute to a ranger from the same organization who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in Sumatra before his passing. His courage and commitment now live on in this little cub,” the zoo wrote. “And there’s more exciting news… today, for the very first time, Rina and Serasi stepped onto their habitat! Rina is already showing off her confidence, venturing out with Suki and taking in the space, while Serasi is taking things a bit slower, easing into it and building confidence at his own pace.”
Why These Two Cubs Matter for the Species
Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. Fewer than 600 remain in the wild, according to the Dallas Zoo.
“The birth of these cubs represents an important contribution to the long-term survival of the species and global conservation efforts,” the zoo said.
The naming contest tied the public’s enthusiasm directly to that conservation mission. By making the vote donation-based, the zoo channeled the excitement around the cubs into real funding for the kind of ranger work being done on the ground in Sumatra — the same work that inspired both cubs’ names.
How to See Rina and Serasi at the Dallas Zoo
If you’re hoping to spot the cubs in person, plan for some flexibility. There’s no fixed schedule for their habitat appearances yet.
The zoo said the cubs will rotate habitat time with the adult tigers, and Suki will lead the way. Rina and Serasi will explore when they feel comfortable and the weather allows. Guests may catch glimpses of the pair during visits as the cubs grow, according to the zoo.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
