4 tiger cubs are born, 1 dies at Bannerghatta

BANGALORE: With the birth of four cubs — one of them later died due to weakness — on August 26, at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), the number of tiger cubs has gone up. Now the park has 11 tigers “BBP has adopted ex-situ conservation of tiger “in captivity”, as per the planned and organised breeding programme” said Dr R Raju, executive  director, BBP.“Since April there were 11 births. In April itself seven cubs were born.  On August 9, 12-year-old Rajeshwari gave birth to a solitary cub. On August 26, 9-year-old Roopa gave birth to four cubs, of which one could not survive as it was weak. The other three cubs along with the mother are healthy and doing well” he said.However, all the mother tigers and the cubs are under observation and will be monitored until the young ones can sustain on their own. He said, “There is another white tigress - Razia aged around 12 years who is under early stage of pregnancy and is expected to deliver soon.”“Recently we have constituted an animal health monitoring committee at BBP. The committee of six,  comprises  experts from  Veterinary College Hebbal, veterinary nutritionists and veterinary pathologists” he added.Dr Raju asserts that the concept of scientific management of the animals is being carried out by providing well worked diets, health and  hygienic system in their  enclosures.