After bearing 3 stillborn cubs, white tigress dies

She bore three stillborn cubs and was fighting septicaemia for the last three days. On Thursday, Khushi, the white tigress, succumbed to the infection at the Delhi zoo. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

She bore three stillborn cubs and was fighting septicaemia for the last three days. On Thursday, Khushi, the white tigress, succumbed to the infection at the Delhi zoo.

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With the death of eight-year-old Khushi, the count of white tigers at the zoo has come down to just two males and four females. Also, there are just three female Royal Bengal tigresses.

Two of Khushi’s cubs were stillborn on June 10, after which the tigress showed signs of problem.

According to zoo officials, the feline became non-cooperative and after hours of struggle, the third cub, which too had died inside the womb, was taken out on June 11.

“That left Khushi with a severe infection. Over two days, our team of doctors worked hard to keep her alive. Last night, she had one whole chicken, some soup and also lot of glucose water. But the infection took a toll at about 12.30pm today,” said Riaz Khan, zoo’s curator (education).

The zoo had lost a Royal Bengal tigress on June 5, a Royal Bengal tiger on May 27, two white tiger cubs in February and a Royal Bengal tiger in December 2012.