Visitors at the National Zoological Park, popularly known as Delhi Zoo in the national capital can now take delight in watching eight-month-old two white tiger cubs which were released by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav into the enclosure arena of the big cats on Thursday. Soon after their release, the cubs could be seen playfully frolicking as they tag behind their mother.
However on weekends, visitors won't be able to watch them as the cubs will not be released in open. This is being done to ensure that they are not under stress as usually Zoo witnesses higher footfalls during Saturday and Sunday..
Yadav has named the female cub 'Avani', meaning earth and the male cub 'Vyom', which means universe. Until now, these were kept in a shelter during the night and in a side kraal with their mother during the day.
"Flagged off the release of 8-month-old Avni and Vyom into their enclosure in the presence of school children and zoo staff. Visitors to the zoo will now be able to see and say hello to Avni and Vyom," Yadav tweeted.
The two white tiger cubs received the last of their vaccines in the last week of March, said Akanksha Mahajan, director of the Delhi Zoo.
She informed that the tiger babies are getting acclimatized gradually. However, as weekends will be
She shared that on August 24, 2022, three white tiger cubs including the two who are now released in open enclosure were born to the white tigress Sita, making it the first time in seven years that there was successful breeding of white tigers at the Delhi zoo.
However, in December, one of the cubs died after falling ill. In February this year, 17-year-old white tigress, Vina Rani, also died at the zoo, owing to complications arising from old age.
Officials said there are now nine tigers at the zoo, i.e. four Royal Big cats and five are white, including the two cubs that have been released for viewing. These tigers are white in colour owing to the lack of the pigment pheomelanin in their bodies, which is found in Royal Bengal tigers that makes their fur orange.
The zoo has added a couple of young inmates recently. For instance, last month, a hippopotamus and a gaur (also known as the Indian bison) were born at the National Zoological Park.
After releasing the white tiger cubs, the Union Minister also interacted with school children to promote Mission LIFE and shared the importance of sustainable living and natural resource conservation, said an official from the Ministry.
Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Union Environment Ministry, Chandra Prakash Goyal, ADG (Forest Conservation), Satya Prakash Yadav, ADG(Wildlife), Bivash Ranjan, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, Dr Sanjay Kumar Shukla , and IG Wildlife Rohit Tiwari among others were also present on the occasion.
