Mangaluru, December 24, 2024: Rani, a 14-year-old tigress, has given birth to two more cubs in captivity at Pilikula Biological Park. She gave birth to the cubs on the night of December 20, according to H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, Director of the park.
The same tigress had set a record by giving birth to five healthy cubs in 2016. Later, she gave birth to three cubs in 2021, Mr. Bhandary said.
Rani was brought to Pilikula zoo from Bannerghatta Biological Park under an animal exchange program in 2016. A male tiger from Pilikula was given in exchange to Bannerghatta Zoo then.
The mother and the newborn cubs are healthy. The zoo officials are paying special attention to them, he said in a release on Monday (December 23, 2024).
Steps have been taken to provide the tigress with nutritious food and health supplements. The tiger cubs will be vaccinated after one-and-half months. During this time, a lot of care will be required as the health of the cubs is very sensitive. Directions have been issued to prevent anyone except the required personnel from entering the tiger’s animal house.
With the addition of two cubs, the number of tigers in Pilikula Zoo has increased to 10. Of them, males and females are in equal number of four. The sex of the newborn cubs will be checked after two months.