Have Three Tiger Cubs Been Born at Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoo After 53 Years?

Synopsis
The excitement is palpable as wildlife enthusiasts at Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoo celebrate the birth of three tiger cubs, a remarkable event after over five decades. This milestone not only brings joy but also highlights the zoo's efforts in tiger conservation. Read on to discover more about these adorable new arrivals!
Key Takeaways
- Three tiger cubs born at Sepahijala Zoo after 53 years.
- Significant milestone for wildlife conservation in Tripura.
- Precautionary measures for the safety of mother and cubs.
- Continued efforts for zoo development and training.
- High tourist interest in the zoo's conservation initiatives.
Agartala, May 19 (NationPress) Wildlife lovers and officials at Tripura's Sepahijala Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary are rejoicing following the birth of three tiger cubs, marking a significant milestone as it's the first occurrence in the zoo's 53-year history.
Director of Sepahijala Zoo, Biswajit Das, announced on Monday that a tigress in the zoo gave birth to three healthy cubs last week.
"This is the first time in the history of Sepahijala Zoo that a tigress has given birth to three cubs simultaneously since the zoo was established in 1972," Das informed IANS.
With the addition of the three cubs, the total number of big cats at Sepahijala Zoo has increased to five. An official revealed that a pair of tigers was transported to the zoo from West Bengal last February under an animal exchange program.
According to Das, both the mother tigress and her newborn cubs are thriving in their enclosure. The male tiger has been moved to a different enclosure as a precaution, while several Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been installed to monitor the behavior and activities of the first-time mother and her cubs round-the-clock.
To ensure the mother and cubs remain undisturbed, tourists and wildlife enthusiasts are restricted from approaching the enclosure.
The Zoo Director mentioned that the tigress is receiving a balanced diet, including fresh meat, as well as healthy soups multiple times daily to ensure she produces enough milk for her cubs.
Forest, Science and Technology and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma expressed his delight over the birth of the three tiger cubs in Sepahijala Zoo.
"The birth of these cubs is a positive sign for tiger conservation efforts at the zoo," the Minister told IANS.
Debbarma stated that he plans to visit the zoo soon to see the tiger cubs and assess the facilities, revealing that his department is continuously striving to develop Sepahijala Zoo into a premier animal conservation hub.
"We seek the support of the Central Zoo Authority for training our staff and financial assistance from the Central government to enhance the zoo's development," the minister added.
The Sepahijala Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary spans approximately 18.53 square kilometers and is situated 35 kilometers south of Agartala, making it a key tourist attraction in northeastern India.
In the 2024-25 year, over 1.70 lakh tourists from both the state and beyond visited Sepahijala Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary, another official reported.