Nivedita Ganguly
Three white tiger cubs set to make their first public appearance soon.
VISAKHAPATNAM: While the city is busy discovering new ways to beat the heat, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is getting ready to welcome fresh arrivals and provide special care to the newborns this season.
In a few weeks time, there will be some surprises for the visitors at the Vizag zoo. The three white tiger cubs that were born in the early hours of April 13 will make their first public appearance shortly, if all goes well.
Crucial period
“The first three months are very crucial for the survival of the cubs. Situation is very unpredictable.
“But the cubs have so far adapted well and are doing fine. The mother is taking good care of them,” zoo curator Rahul Pandey told The Hindu.
To be added to the zoo’s collection shortly would be a pair of bison from the Goa zoo in exchange of a tiger pair.
Currently, the zoo has four male and seven female tigers, including the white tigers.
“There are plans to breed Royal Bengal tigers as well. We are waiting for the official permissions,” he said. The zoo has two lineages of tigers that are suitable for inbreeding, he added.
Zoo officials are also making concerted efforts to procure a pair of pure breed lions to improve its collections.
Inbreeding of leopards
Apart from this, efforts are also on for the inbreeding of leopards of the zoo park. With the pair appearing comfortable with each other, the zoo authorities are expecting leopard cubs soon.
“We are keeping a close watch on the behavioural patterns of the leopards to avoid any untoward incidents,” Mr. Pandey said. The other new member of the zoo is a three-month-old female cub of sloth bear that was rescued from the outskirts of the city after the mother abandoned it. The cub is doing well and will be shortly shifted to the bear enclosure.
Wild dog pup
The zoo will put on display its new arrivals, including the white tiger cubs, shortly.
Also, visitors can take a peek at the newborn wild dog pup, which was the only surviving member out of the five pubs. “We are excited and happy about the additions and new developments and are sure that the changes made would go a long way in making a trip to the zoo more educative and fun filled,” he said.
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