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News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
2 tiger cubs die at Delhi zoo
Agency: PTI Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) Two tiger cubs have died over the past three days at the Delhi zoo, officials said on Monday. The deaths came just a week after the zoo celebrated the birth of six Bengal tiger cubs — the largest litter in two decades. The cubs were born to a seven-year-old tigress, Aditi, on August 4 between 9 am and 11 am. This was her first litter since being brought from the Gorewada rescue centre in Nagpur. Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar said the mother is nursing and feeding the remaining four cubs, who are under constant CCTV and manual monitoring to track feeding and activity. One cub, the smallest in the litter, died inside the enclosure on the morning of August 8. Another, which was weak and unable to feed on its mother's milk, was transferred to the zoo hospital on the night of August 9. It died the following night despite treatment. 'Supplements are being given to the mother to support milk production. The remaining cubs are being closely observed and are feeding well," Kumar said. Before this birth, the zoo housed six white tigers and seven Royal Bengal tigers. In 2023, tigress Siddhi — also from Gorewada — gave birth to five cubs, the first successful Royal Bengal tiger birth at the zoo in nearly 18 years. Only two of those cubs survived. The last litter of six was in 2005, when two survived. The most recent white tiger birth was in 2022, when tigress Sita delivered three cubs, of which two survived. 'In such large litters, a 100 per cent survival rate is extremely difficult," an official said. The Delhi Zoo has housed tigers since its inauguration on November 1, 1959. Under the Central Zoo Authority's conservation breeding programme for critically endangered wild species, launched in 2010 as part of the National Zoo Policy 1998, it has been identified as a centre for tiger conservation and breeding. PTI NSM VN VN view comments First Published: 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.
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Six Bengal tiger cubs born at Delhi Zoo
Six Bengal tiger cubs were born at the Delhi Zoo on Monday morning, the largest litter born at the zoo in two decades, officials said. The cubs were born to Aditi, a 7-year-old tigress, and white tiger Vijay, building on the zoo's ongoing breeding efforts. In 2023 , another tigress, Siddhi, gave birth to five cubs, two of which survived. The newborn cubs with their mother. (HT Photo) The zoo said it will monitor the mother and cubs 24x7 through CCTV surveillance, adding that the first 48 hours are crucial for any litter. 'The cubs were born to tigress Aditi, who is aged between 7 and 8 years. She gave birth to six cubs between 9 and 11am and this is her first litter,' said Delhi zoo director Sanjeet Kumar, adding that the tigress was of wild origins and was acquired from the Gorewada rescue centre in Nagpur. 'So far, the tigress is taking care of the cubs while we constantly monitor it. Surveillance through CCTV cameras will continue 24x7,' said the bird of the latest litter, the zoo had six white tigers and seven Bengal tigers. In 2023, tigress Siddhi, who was also acquired from Gorewada in Nagpur, gave birth to five cubs, marking the first successful birth of Bengal tiger cubs at the zoo in nearly 18 years. However, only two eventually survived, with three stillborn. In 2005, a litter of six was delivered but only two survived. Meanwhile, the last white tiger birth came in 2022, when white tigress Sita delivered three cubs of which two survived. In 2015, a litter of five white tiger cubs was also born. Zoo officials said Aditi mated with the white tiger Vijay, who also produced white tiger offsprings in 2022. White tigers lack the pigment pheomelanin, which gives Bengal tigers their distinctive orange hue. However, both are the same species. 'They are different colours but are technically the Bengal tiger only,' Kumar added. Delhi zoo veterinary officer Abhijit Bhawal said they had been trying to breed Aditi since 2023, with failed attempts in both 2023 and 2024. 'In 2023, we tried mating Aditi with Karan. After no success, we tried with another Bengal tiger named Hari, but that, too, failed. Finally, we tried breeding with Vijay – who is the father of tigers Avni and Vyom, and had success,' said Bhawal, adding that they received confirmation of the pregnancy on May 26 from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). 'The cubs are all in the cell with the mother. We are monitoring them closely. The next 48 hours are crucial in order to ensure the litter survives,' Bhawal said, adding that five of the clubs appeared to be doing well. 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 was chosen to conserve and breed tigers.
