Tiger cubs are the latest on the ramp

4-month-old cubs have been released into open-moated enclosures in the zoo

July 25, 2014 02:31 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:33 pm IST - CHENNAI:

Namratha with Adithya and Karna.

Namratha with Adithya and Karna.

Three white tiger cubs and two Bengal tiger cubs are now the cynosure of all eyes at Vandalur zoo.

The four-month-old cubs had been kept away from the gaze of visitors as they were not ready to be released into the open area, said zoo authorities.

K.S.S.V.P. Reddy, zoo director, said the cubs had begun walking up and down the ramp, coming out of the water trough inside the enclosure and climbing the ramp through the sides.

Soon after the cubs were born in March, the authorities fixed closed-circuit television cameras to monitor their growth. Visitors were able to watch the cubs on a television screen. This arrangement was a hit with visitors of all ages, he said.

The cubs would be allowed to spend the time from morning till 2 p.m. in the open-moated enclosures.

They will not be allowed to mingle with their father, as the male could attack the cubs, resulting in their death.

The male tigers will be let out for public viewing only after the cubs and the mother are moved to the enclosure, he added.

The first set of three white tiger cubs were delivered by Namratha on March 15 and named Meera, Bheema and Thaara by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

The second delivery was on March 23 in which the white tigress delivered two normal cubs, Adithya and Karna, Mr. Reddy added.

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