3 tiger cubs die in Bannerghatta zoo after abandoned by mother

Bengaluru: Three tiger cubs — a female and two male — that were abandoned by their mother died in the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) on July 7.

A statement in this regard was issued by the BBP authorities late on Friday.

"Our tigress Hima Das gave its third litter of three tiger cubs on July 7. After littering, she did not care for the cubs. Consecutively, all three cubs were injured. The cubs were shifted to the hospital for intensive care and hand-rearing. Despite all intervention by doctors, the cubs did not survive," the statement said.

A male cub died on July 8 followed by the death of the other two the next day. A post-mortem by the veterinary team found that one male cub died due to cervical injury and another died due to injuries caused by the mother biting its head. The female cub succumbed to stampede injuries.

"It is natural for the mother to take care of the cubs. Many times, in captivity, the cubs are abandoned by the mothers due to lack of maternal instincts, and are hand-reared at the zoo hospital," the park said, adding that the whole ordeal was CCTV-monitored and animal keepers and doctors have taken utmost care in treating the mother and the cubs.