Some cheer amid Covid gloom: 2 Bengal Tiger cubs born at zoo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 14

Diya, a white tigress, delivered two Bengal Tiger cubs at Chhatbir zoo on May 8.

“Diya is an eight-year-old white tigress while the sire is a Bengal Tiger, Aman, aged nine. Diya had delivered three cubs in 2019. The two newborn cubs are absolutely fine and under the nurture of Diya,” said Harpal Singh, Range Officer-cum-Zoo Education Officer, Chhatbir Zoo.

Meanwhile, an 18-month-old female cub delivered by Diya passed away at the zoo on May 9. It was born with two other male tigers in 2019. According to its postmortem report, it was a natural death. The cub tested negative for Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2.

All other carnivores at the zoo had been screened for Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2, said zoo officials.

On May 7, all zoo employees were tested for Covid-19. All zookeepers and animal handlers tested negative for the virus. A vaccination camp was held for 219 employees of the zoo on May 11.