Cub dies of rare viral infection in SGNP

fficials attributed the death to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), describing it as a rare, unpredictable condition with no vaccine or globally approved treatment, which poses challenges for wildlife sanctuaries and zoos

Mumbai: A six-month-old tiger cub at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) died of a rare viral infection on April 16, after remaining unwell for over ten days.

Coronavirus microbe cells in infected blood background

Authorities said the park’s early detection systems enabled swift intervention, helping contain the situation and prevent complications among other animal residents. The cub, born on October 2, 2025, at SGNP, was one of five offspring of tiger Bajirao and tigress Srivalli, both brought from Nagpur. Officials attributed the death to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), describing it as a rare, unpredictable condition with no vaccine or globally approved treatment, which poses challenges for wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. The remaining four cubs are reported to be healthy but are under close veterinary supervision.

Following the death, SGNP said it has reinforced its already stringent animal care and disease management protocols, while maintaining heightened surveillance across all enclosures to ensure the virus does not spread to other residents. The development comes weeks after a six-year-old leopard, Bittu, died on March 21 due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).