Tiger cub dies nearly two and a half months after birth at Nandankanan

A tiger cub died on Wednesday at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, marking a sombre moment for the facility. Born on November 2, 2024, the tiger cub had been under veterinary care since becoming unwell on January 12 (Sunday).

According to official sources, despite concerted efforts from the zoo’s medical team, the unfortunate news of its demise was confirmed in the morning.

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This cub was part of a litter of four, born to tigress Rupa and her mate Krishna. Following this loss, zoo officials are vigilantly observing the health of the remaining cubs to ensure their well-being.

This was Rupa’s third litter and the cubs were born to Rupa and a melanistic tiger named Krishna.

In her first litter, Rupa had mated with tiger Rajesh and given birth to three cubs in 2022. In the second litter, she again sired with Rajesh and gave birth to two cubs.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park currently houses 27 tigers, making it a prominent centre for conservation and wildlife education.

Worth mentioning, Nandankanan welcomed new guests on August 29 last year, as five lion cubs took birth in the zoological park.

Providing a shot in the arm to the ongoing efforts of the zoo authorities to increase the population of these big cats, the five cubs were born to lioness Bijli.

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The cubs and their mother were being closely monitored by the zoo authorities through CCTV cameras. Bijli was seen tending to her newborn cubs.

Bijli had mated with Nandankanan Zoo’s lion Samrat and bore his offspring. This was her fourth time rearing cubs and being a mother. The nine-year-old lioness was brought to the Nandankanan Zoo earlier in 2020 from Indore.