White tiger cub dies at Nandankanan Zoo, alarm bells ring as siblings now show similar symptoms

A white tiger cub born at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar died on Sunday evening after months of treatment for recurring lameness. Reports stated that the cub, born to white tigress Rupa and melanistic tiger Krishna on November 2, 2024, had been under veterinary supervision since March after suffering an injury to its leg.

Despite showing signs of recovery, the cub passed away unexpectedly on June 1, just hours after eating normally and displaying no visible distress. As of the last reports, zoo officials stated that the exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem examination.

Siblings Also Under Observation

The two surviving cubs from the same litter have now begun to show similar symptoms of lameness, marking a cause for concern.

In response, zoo authorities have initiated disease screening and treatment protocols in an effort to prevent further loss. However, the developments have raised concern among wildlife health experts monitoring the litter’s condition. Notably, experts from the Centre for Wildlife Health (CWH) had also examined the now deceased cub and found no abnormalities, yet it could not be saved.

Second Death from Same Litter

The death marked the second cub death from Rupa’s third litter. Earlier, another cub from the same group died on January 15 after a brief illness. The litter originally comprised four cubs of one white and three with normal colouration.

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Tiger Count Drops to 27

With the latest death, Nandankanan’s current tiger population stands at 27, including 18 normal-coloured, five white, and four melanistic tigers. The zoo, spread over 437 hectares, is known for housing all three tiger variants and has been a significant centre for tiger conservation in India.