Culture

Delhi Zoo sees birth of 3 white tigers after 7 long years

It was celebration time at the National Zoological Park in the Capital as after a long gap of seven years, white tiger cubs were born there.

The mother of the cubs is Sita, a white tigress while the father Vijay too is white. Both are seven years old.

With this new addition the number of tigers at Delhi Zoo has gone up to 11.

The mother and cubs reported to be healthy are being housed in a separate enclosure. Talking to the media, Dharamdeo Rai, Director of Delhi Zoo said: “The cubs are reared by the mother. If we touch them, we are worried that the mother may reject them. We never interfere till at least one month. We simply provide food and water required for the mother, who is continuously nursing them, so things are looking good now. The mother and cubs are in a separate enclosure, with enough space to move.”

The zoo officials and staff are monitoring them constantly round-the-clock.

Speaking about the long gap of seven years, Rai observed: “There need to be suitable pairs and the male and female need to accept each other. It’s also a bit of luck… sometimes tigers may conceive, but may give birth to cubs that are stillborn.”

Interestingly Delhi Zoo is a participant in the conservation breeding of tigers. Sharing details about this, Rai told Indian Express: “The selected zoos that participate in the conservation breeding programme exchange animals amongst themselves for breeding purposes. The animal exchange ensures that there is no in-breeding. The breeding programme is also underway at the Delhi Zoo for other species including rhinos.”

It is due to recessive genes that white tigers come into being. While their fur is white or cream-coloured they have grey or black stripes.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Pak: Mahrang Baloch condemns killing of brother of forced-disappeared student leader

Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch took to social media platform X to denounce the targeted…

5 hours ago

India, New Zealand vow joint action against terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon reaffirmed their commitment to…

6 hours ago

India raises issue of anti-India activities of SFJ in US during meeting with Tulsi Gabbard

India has raised issue of anti-India activities conducted by banned Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice…

8 hours ago

India, New Zealand to formulate agreement for mobility of skilled workers: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting…

9 hours ago

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard hold talks in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard met and…

10 hours ago

PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with visiting New Zealand PM Luxon

PM Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting…

10 hours ago