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Hindustan Times
11-08-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Two of six newborn Bengal tiger cubs dead at
New Delhi: A week after six Bengal tiger cubs were born at the Delhi Zoo to seven-year-old tigress Aditi, marking the largest litter in two decades, two of the cubs have failed to survive the initial period of 'critical care', zoo officials said. Tigress Aditi with the litter. (HT) While the first death occurred in the zoo enclosure on Friday, the second died at the zoo hospital after developing an infection, officials said, adding that the initial few days are crucial due to a higher mortality rate. Sanjeet Kumar, the Delhi zoo director said that of the six cubs, the first was extremely small and died on Friday, four days after its birth. Another was fairly weak and was not able to feed on the mother's milk. 'It was weaned and transferred to the zoo hospital on Saturday but died on Sunday, despite all efforts to save its life. Constant monitoring of mother and cubs are on through CCTV and the keeper. Required supplements are being given to mother too to enhance milk letdown,' said Kumar. Zoo veterinary officer Abhijit Bhawal said the remaining four cubs were doing well. 'For the entire litter to survive is very difficult, as, in the initial few days, chances of mortality after birth are fairly high. Despite the best of precautions, two have died, but on the bright side, the remaining four are doing well and regularly feeding on the mother's milk,' said Bhawal, adding the enclosure is being cleaned regularly. 'We are keeping an eye on the cubs, both through CCTV and manually too. If a cub does not feed properly or appears lethargic, we will immediately bring it to the hospital,' Bhawal said. The cubs were born between 9am and 11am on Monday. This was Aditi's first litter, zoo director Sanjeet Kumar had said earlier. Aditi is of wild origin and was brought to Delhi from the Gorewada rescue centre in Nagpur. Prior to the recent births and deaths, the zoo had six white tigers and seven Bengal tigers. In 2023, tigress Siddhi, who was brought from Gorewada in Nagpur, gave birth to a litter of five cubs, making it the first successful birth of Bengal tiger cubs at the zoo in nearly 18 years. However, only two eventually survived, with three found to be stillborn. In 2005, a litter of six was delivered, but only two survived. Meanwhile, the last white tiger birth came in 2022, when the white tigress Sita delivered three cubs, of which two survived. 'In such a large litter, having a 100% survival rate is extremely difficult,' the official said. The zoo has been housing tigers since its inauguration on November 1, 1959. In 2010, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) started a planned conservation breeding programme of 73 critically endangered wild animal species, as part of the National Zoo Policy, 1998. Under it, the Delhi Zoo has been chosen for tiger conservation and breeding.
India Today
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Delhi Zoo's Tigress Aditi gives birth to 6 cubs, video delights Internet
Delhi Zoo just got a little louder, and a lot more striped. On Monday morning, six Bengal tiger cubs were born to tigress Aditi, a seven-year-old big cat who mated with white tiger Vijay. This is the zoo's largest litter in over 20 years. Officials confirmed that all six cubs were delivered safely, with both mother and newborns under close watch. Aditi was brought in from Nagpur's Gorewada Zoo and has now become the centre of attention for helping boost the Bengal tiger zoo shared a video of the tigress with her cubs with the news agency ANI, and it soon went viral. The clip shows Aditi nestled with her tiny litter. Watch the video here: This isn't the zoo's first brush with tiger births. In 2023, tigress Siddhi also gave birth to five cubs. Unfortunately, only two survived, with three stillborn. A similar case occurred in 2005 when a litter of six arrived, but only two made it tiger Vijay, the father, also shares lineage with other cubs born at the zoo. In 2022, he fathered three cubs with white tigress Sita, of which two survived. While white tigers often steal the spotlight due to their appearance, they are genetically the same as their Bengal its establishment in 1959, the Delhi Zoo has housed tigers, but its approach to conservation has become more structured in recent years. In 2010, under the Central Zoo Authority's national breeding programme, the zoo was selected to help conserve Bengal tigers as part of the National Zoo Policy, 1998.- Ends
NDTV
04-08-2025
- General
- NDTV
6 Cubs Born To Royal Bengal Tiger In Delhi Zoo, Largest Litter In 20 Years
New Delhi: The Delhi Zoo on Monday celebrated the birth of six Bengal Tiger cubs -- the biggest litter recorded at the facility in the last two decades. In a success for conservation breeding, the cubs were born between 9 AM and 11 AM to a seven-year-old tigress, Aditi, who was brought to the zoo from the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. This is her first litter, officials said. Delhi Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said the mother and cubs are being closely monitored through CCTV surveillance as the first 48 hours are critical for the newborns. "The tigress is of wild origin and is taking care of the cubs. We are observing her round-the-clock," he said. Prior to this litter, the zoo housed six white tigers and seven Royal Bengal tigers. A similar birth was recorded in 2023 when tigress Siddhi, also from Gorewada, gave birth to five cubs -- the first successful Royal Bengal tiger birth at the zoo in nearly 18 years. However, only two cubs survived. In 2005, a six-cub litter was also born, but only two survived. Veterinary officer Abhijit Bhawal said the zoo had been trying to breed Aditi since 2023. Initial mating attempts with tigers Karan and Hari were unsuccessful. It was only after pairing her with white tiger Vijay -- the father of previous cubs Avni and Vyom -- that the pregnancy occurred. The confirmation came on May 26 from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). "The cubs are in the cell with their mother. Five of them appear to be doing well. We're keeping a close watch," Bhawal said. White tiger Vijay, who sired the litter, also fathered cubs in 2022. White tigers lack the orange pigment pheomelanin but are considered the same species as Royal Bengal tigers. "They are technically Royal Bengal tigers, just with different colouring," Kumar explained. The last white tiger birth at Delhi Zoo took place in 2022 when tigress Sita delivered three cubs, of which two survived. Another five-cub litter was recorded in 2015. The Delhi Zoo, which opened in 1959, is part of the Central Zoo Authority's conservation breeding programme for endangered species under the National Zoo Policy, and has been designated for tiger conservation since 2010. PTI NSM RT RT
News18
04-08-2025
- General
- News18
Delhi zoo welcomes six Bengal Tiger cubs, largest litter in 20 years
Agency: PTI Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) The Delhi Zoo on Monday celebrated the birth of six Bengal Tiger cubs — the biggest litter recorded at the facility in the last two decades. In a success for conservation breeding, the cubs were born between 9 AM and 11 AM to a seven-year-old tigress, Aditi, who was brought to the zoo from the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. This is her first litter, officials said. Delhi Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said the mother and cubs are being closely monitored through CCTV surveillance as the first 48 hours are critical for the newborns. 'The tigress is of wild origin and is taking care of the cubs. We are observing her round-the-clock," he said. Prior to this litter, the zoo housed six white tigers and seven Royal Bengal tigers. A similar birth was recorded in 2023 when tigress Siddhi, also from Gorewada, gave birth to five cubs — the first successful Royal Bengal tiger birth at the zoo in nearly 18 years. However, only two cubs survived. In 2005, a six-cub litter was also born, but only two survived. Veterinary officer Abhijit Bhawal said the zoo had been trying to breed Aditi since 2023. Initial mating attempts with tigers Karan and Hari were unsuccessful. It was only after pairing her with white tiger Vijay — the father of previous cubs Avni and Vyom — that the pregnancy occurred. The confirmation came on May 26 from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). 'The cubs are in the cell with their mother. Five of them appear to be doing well. We're keeping a close watch," Bhawal said. White tiger Vijay, who sired the litter, also fathered cubs in 2022. White tigers lack the orange pigment pheomelanin but are considered the same species as Royal Bengal tigers. 'They are technically Royal Bengal tigers, just with different colouring," Kumar explained. The last white tiger birth at Delhi Zoo took place in 2022 when tigress Sita delivered three cubs, of which two survived. Another five-cub litter was recorded in 2015. The Delhi Zoo, which opened in 1959, is part of the Central Zoo Authority's conservation breeding programme for endangered species under the National Zoo Policy, and has been designated for tiger conservation since 2010. PTI NSM RT RT (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 04, 2025, 21:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
