Lioness gives birth to two healthy cubs at Pipli Zoo

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, May 30

Asiatic lioness Sakshi has given birth to three cubs at Pipli Zoo in Kurukshetra. One of the cubs died due to weakness within 48 hours of being born while the remaining two are healthy.

Lioness Sakshi (8) and lion Geet (10) were brought to the zoo from Junagadh in Gujarat in December, 2015.

This is the fourth time that Sakshi has given birth to cubs. According to the sources, on December 2, 2016, Sakshi gave birth to two cubs and on May 5, 2017, to three cubs, but none of them survived. On June 7, 2018, Sakshi had delivered five cubs of which two had died. It was found that cubs were not being fed by Sakshi. As per standard operation procedure, the remaining cubs were fed special artificial milk powder manufactured in the USA. They were later shifted to the Rohtak zoo.

The three cubs were named Arjun, Geeta and Sudha. While Arjun and Geeta got their names from Mahabharta, Sudha was named after Thanesar MLA Subhash Sudha.

For the zoo authorities, the birth of the two cubs is a joyous occasion and Sakshi is being given diet as per the directions of veterinary expert Dr Ashok Khasa. Their father Geet is being kept at a distance from them. The zoo is closed for public since March due to Covid-19.

Wildlife Inspector Tejbir Singh said: “Sakshi has given birth for the fourth time. This time, the lioness has been taking good care of the cubs. The lioness has been lactating which is good for cubs’ health and the zoo authorities have been keeping a close watch on them trough CCTV cameras. Since no one has gone near them so far, we can’t tell if the cubs are male or female. The higher authorities will decide if the newborns are to be kept here.”