Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo announce names of female tiger cubs: meet Frankie, Masha and Mira

Press Release: Louisville Zoo

 Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo are thrilled to introduce the names of three female Amur tiger cubs. Meet Frankie, Masha, and Mira.

Born May 27, 2026, to 4-year-old Viktoria and nearly 9-year-old Timmy, the cubs continue to grow stronger and more adventurous each day under the watchful care of their mother and the Zoo's animal care team. The trio are still bonding with mom, but guests can still see them daily via the Zoo’s tiger cub cam at louisvillezoo.org/cubcam.

Names and personalitiesAt the Friends of the Louisville Zoo’s annual Zoofari fundraising gala in June, attendees had the chance to “adopt” the Amur tigers, which also included the opportunity to work with Zoo staff to name two of the three cubs.

Frankie was co-adopted by Central Bank and Donna and Ron Kramer. She was named in honor of Donna’s late father, Frank Arnold, Sr., who was an avid Zoo supporter and member of the Zoo Foundation Board. The cub care team shares that Frankie, known for her bold and independent personality, was the first of the cubs to approach her keepers.

Masha, the Russian form of the name Mary, was chosen by Jessica and Mac Thompson of White Clay. Also devoted supporters of the Zoo and animal conservation, the Thompsons chose to honor several members of Jessica’s immediate family who share the name Mary. In fact, her sister, Mary Whitney, shares a birthday with the cubs. Masha is known for her curious and observant nature and can frequently be spotted on the cub cam following her mother around their denning areas.

The zookeeper staff caring for the cubs each had the opportunity to submit a name for consideration for the third cub. The winning suggestion was Mira, which is derived from the Slavic word “mir,” and means “peace” or “world.” Mira often lets her sisters lead, but she is gaining confidence and was the second cub to begin approaching the care team.

At their most recent exam in August, the cubs each weighed approximately 25 pounds. Their final scheduled health exam will take place in September. Based on their previous growth, staff expect each cub to gain roughly another 10 pounds. This will be their last hands-on examination before beginning to explore their outdoor habitat under the watchful eyes of their mother, Viktoria, and their care team.

The three cubs represent an important conservation success for a species facing ongoing challenges in the wild. As they continue to develop, Zoo guests can expect to see their unique personalities emerge. Whether wrestling with one another, exploring new surroundings or keeping mom on her toes, Masha, Mira, and Frankie are providing plenty of memorable moments.

"Frankie, Masha and Mira have already become beloved ambassadors for the Louisville Zoo," said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “These tiger cubs remind us of the importance of protecting endangered species and demonstrate how the Louisville Zoo inspires people of all ages to care for wildlife and nature."

"Selecting special names for the cubs helps us tell the story of each animal as their unique personalities continue to emerge,” said Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney. “We are proud of the outstanding care provided by our staff, grateful for our patrons who support the mission, and delighted by the enthusiasm these tigers are generating via their cub cam."

Amur Tiger cub history at the Zoo

The last Amur tiger cubs born at the Louisville Zoo were Irisa and Anya on October 1, 2004. With these three new births, there have now been 29 Amur tiger cubs in the Zoo’s 57-year history.

About Amur Tigers

Amur tigers are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species. Formerly called Siberian tigers, they are no longer found in Siberia. They are currently found in the Amur River region of eastern Russia, northeastern China, and into the Korean peninsula. They are the largest living feline. Males weigh 400 – 600 pounds on average and measure up to 14 feet long including the tail. Average females weigh between 250 – 300 pounds. Tiger stripes are like fingerprints and are unique to that tiger.

Zoo Hours

The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through September 20, 2026, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guests exiting by 6 p.m. Beginning September 21, 2026 – March 19, 2027, hours will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with guest exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information on hours and admission.

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The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) which is a global alliance of zoos and aquariums. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).