Only 1 of 6 cubs born to tigress Aditi survives

The last of three tiger cubs undergoing treatment at the Delhi Zoo has died, leaving only one survivor from a rare litter of six, an official told The Tribune. The cub passed away around 11 pm on Saturday, following the death of two others last week.

Tigress Aditi gave birth to six cubs on August 4. Two of the cubs died within the first week — on August 8 and 10 — after struggling to feed and being admitted for hand-rearing. Three more cubs fell ill around August 20-21 and were hospitalised with high fever and infection. Two of them died on August 22, while the third one succumbed on Saturday.

The surviving cub has been undergoing treatment at the zoo hospital since August 15. Samples from all affected cubs have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) to determine the cause of the infection, which remains unknown.

Zoo Chief Veterinary Officer Abhijeet Bhaval said three cubs were admitted with infection and high fever on Thursday morning. Two of them died the same night.

The zoo administration continues investigations to confirm the exact cause of deaths.