A pair of rare Sumatran tigers, born at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Smarden, have an early first birthday present: a new pool.

Asu and Bawa, the first tigers to be born at the big cat charity, tried out their much larger pool during this week’s heat wave.

Bosses at the WHF describe the pair, born on July 27 last year, as very playful. They are being raised by their mum, Puna. In due course the cubs will spend time with their father, Nias. They also have a favourite aunt, a female tiger called Indy who assists Puna with cleaning the cubs.

Asu and Bawa, named after Sumatran islands, are playing a vital role in keeping the gene pool of Sumatran tigers alive and are part of the European Breeding Programme.