Tiger cub dies at Delhi zoo weeks after mother’s death

Pandey said the cub died of “acute complications” on Tuesday. “The post-mortem examination has been performed, and its viscera is being sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, for further examinations,” he said.

A 19-day-old male tiger cub died in Delhi zoo on Tuesday due to acute illness, weeks after the death of its mother due to birth complications, officials said on Wednesday. Ramesh Pandey, director of the National Zoological Park said a six-year-old white tigress named Nirbhaya had given birth to two cubs on December 10.

The Delhi zoo, which is closed until January 31 because of Covid-19 restrictions, currently has a pair of normal coated tigers and five white tigers. (HT photo)

“While she managed to deliver a cub, the mother developed complications due to her inability to release the other one and died on December 14. One of her cubs died during a C-section that was being performed on the tigress. The other cub was being hand-reared in the veterinary hospital by an expert team, but the efforts did not yield positive results,” Pandey said.

Pandey said the cub died of “acute complications” on Tuesday. “The post-mortem examination has been performed, and its viscera is being sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, for further examinations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pandey said zoo authorities have made all winter arrangements for the animals including use of paddy straws, teachers, and agronet covers. Delhi has been experiencing cold-wave like conditions with temperatures dropping below 4-5 degree Celsius. At 3.6 degree Celsius, Wednesday morning was also the coldest day of the season.

“We have also started providing special food including soups, jaggery, and groundnuts to the animals in order to beat the cold,” Pandey said.

The Delhi zoo, which is closed until January 31 because of Covid-19 restrictions, currently has a pair of normal coated tigers and five white tigers.