Third Tiger Cub at Patna Zoo also Dead

Patna, Sep 4 (IANS): All three tiger cubs born at the Patna Zoological Park July 31 have died within a week, succumbing to infection, a zoo official said Tuesday.

The last of the three cubs died late Monday and the death came as a huge blow to the captive breeding of tigers. The first cub died Aug 28 and the second Sep 2, a zoo official said.

Zoo director Abhay Kumar said it was unfortunate that all three tiger cubs died despite the best possible treatment.

On July 31, tigress Swarna gave birth to the three cubs. The births made national news as captive breeding of tigers is extremely rare. Besides, the last such birth of a tiger cub in the Patna zoo was 19 years ago.

The cubs developed infection soon after birth, and their condition steadily deteriorated.

Zoo officials said an Asiatic lion cub had died in the Patna Zoo Aug 15, after being injured by its mother.

Two tigers and a tigress were brought here from the Hyderabad zoo last year.

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Patna: The Patna Zoological Park had reason to celebrate in July after tigress Swarna gave birth to three cubs. Just a month later, however, there is a pall of gloom here after one cub died Tuesday and two others battle severe infection.

On Aug 15, an Asiatic lion cub had died in the Patna Zoo after being injured by its mother.

“One of the tiger cubs died due to severe infection Tuesday night. Two others are critically ill,” a zoo official said.

Zoo director Abhay Kumar said his team was doing everything possible to save the cubs. “They are under constant expert supervision,” Kumar said.

Abhijit Bhawal, a doctor from the Wildlife Trust of India, Guwahati, has been called to treat the cubs.

Zoo officials as well visitors were thrilled when the cubs were born in July.

The birth of these three cubs made national news as it was after 19 years that a tigress had given birth here.

The last births of tiger cubs at the Patna zoo was in 1993. Breeding of tigers in captivity is extremely rare, a zoo official said.

Last year, two tigers and a tigress were brought here from the Hyderabad zoo.