Agartala; Sepahijala Zoo in Tripura has achieved a remarkable feat with the birth of three tiger cubs, a first in the zoo’s 53-year history since its establishment in 1972.
The joyous occasion occurred on May 11, confirmed Zoo Director Biswajit Das. The mother is a tigress brought to Sepahijala from West Bengal in February of the previous year as part of an animal exchange initiative. “A pair of tigers was brought to the Sepahijala Zoo from West Bengal in February last year. On May 11, the tigress gave birth to three cubs,” Das stated with evident delight.
This significant event elevates the zoo’s tiger count to a total of five, marking a considerable boost for the state’s sole zoological park. According to Das, “The mother and her three cubs are doing well inside the enclosure, while the male tiger has been moved from there as part of precautionary measures.”
Prioritizing the safety and well-being of the new mother and her precious offspring, zoo authorities have implemented stringent monitoring measures, including the installation of 11 CCTV cameras providing continuous surveillance. Public access to the tiger enclosure has been temporarily restricted to minimize any potential stress on the animals.
Adjustments have also been made to the tigress’s diet to support her lactation. “We are giving balanced food to the tigress. Besides supplying fresh meat, we are offering her soup twice or thrice a day so that the cubs get enough milk,” explained Das. This successful birth stands in stark contrast to a previous attempt in 2014, when a tigress at the zoo delivered a stillborn cub.
Expressing his elation, Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma lauded the births as a significant stride in wildlife preservation. “The birth of these cubs is a positive sign for tiger conservation efforts at the zoo,” he affirmed. Minister Debbarma also reiterated the state’s ambition for the facility, stating, “We are making efforts to make Sepahijala Zoo a world-class facility. If the Central Zoo Authority extends a helping hand to train our people and the Centre provides support, we would be able to develop it further.”
The Sepahijala Zoo, which recorded an impressive footfall of approximately 1.70 lakh visitors in the 2024-25 fiscal year, continues to be a vital wildlife attraction in the region, and the birth of these tiger cubs only enhances its significance.
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