Royal Bengal tigress gives birth to 2 cubs, Assam zoo now boasts of 9 big cats

Guwahati: Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden in Guwahati has got two new members as a

Royal Bengal

tigress,

Kazi

, gave birth to two cubs on Saturday. With these cubs, the Royal Bengal tiger population in the zoo has increased to 9.The forest department has requested forest minister

Parimal Suklabaidya

to suggest names for the cubs.

Amit Sahai

, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), said, “The cubs and the mother are in good health. The zoo authority has taken all the measures to protect them from the cold as the mercury level has dipped in the state since the past few days. Heaters have been placed outside the cage and sufficient dry straw has been given inside the cage so that the cubs remain warm in this cold.”He said emphasis has been given on nutritious diet for the mother. “Around 6-7 kg of meat is being given to the mother along with other vet-prescribed food,” he added.Hygienic environment for the animals in the zoo has always been a prime focus. “Emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness has specially been given in the cage so that the mother and her cubs do not get infected with any disease,” he added.Sahai believed that the zoo will get more visitors now as people will throng for a glimpse of the cubs.