3 tiger cubs born to Siddhi in zoo

Vadodara, Apr 9: The Vadodara zoological park sole tigeress has given birth to three tiger cubs -- the first in the zoo for the last 14 years.

According to assistant zoo curator Digvijaysinh Gohil, the cubs were born to Siddhi, the lone 7-year-old tigeress in the zoo, last week and were living with their mother in a separate cage.

Their father, Gabbar (13), who was brought here from Gir forests a couple of years ago, had been put in an adjoining cage.

The new-born cubs had been kept away from the visitors to avoid any mishap as in the last case, 14 years ago, a tigress who delivered two cubs, killed them on being upset with the visitors' rush.

Mr Gohil said they had taken all possible precautions to avoid any such incident this time and had installed close-circuit TV cameras inside the cage to monitor the movement and behaviour of the mother and her three cubs round-the-clock.

With the birth of the three cubs, the total strength of the big cats in the zoo, has risen to 15, which includes five tigers, six lions and four leopards.

UNI