A rare Siberian tiger cub has died after its mother reportedly lay on it and crushed it during a resting period.

The incident happened at Magdeburg Zoo in the city of Magdeburg, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, and was confirmed on 4th June.

According to zoo officials, the seven-year-old tiger named Stormi gave birth to five cubs on 22nd May.

The zoo noted that Siberian tigers typically have two to three cubs, making the litter of five unusual.

All five cubs had reportedly been developing normally, according to the zoo.

Seven-year-old Siberian tiger Stormi gave birth to her first offspring at Magdeburg zoo in Germany on May 20, 2025: tiger quintuplets, undated. She crushed one of her cubs to death. Note: Licensed photo. (Magdeburg Zoo/Newsflash/NX)

Zoo staff stated that Stormi appeared not to notice she was lying on one of the cubs during a resting phase.

The zoo said a necropsy will determine the precise cause of death.

Stormi was born at Magdeburg Zoo. Her mother, Kimberly, had previously been moved to Zoo Neuwied in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in 2021.

Zoo records show Kimberly struggled with cohabitation following the birth and was later killed by a male tiger named Ivo during an introduction at Zoo Neuwied.

The zoo said the four remaining cubs have since opened their eyes and are being nursed by Stormi.

Zoo officials stated that the birth and survival of the cubs contribute to the conservation of the endangered Siberian tiger.

According to the zoo, there are approximately 5,600 Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) left in the wild.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)