Amidst the coronavirus pandemic with human begins struggling to survive, there seems to be some good news coming from Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi where Tigress Anushka gave birth to three healthy cubs. The zoo authorities are taking special precaution with minimum human interference to provide a healthy atmosphere to the mother and her cubs.
Preventive measures like application of lime disinfectant on the ground have been done. Cages and barriers have been sprayed with anti viral sprays. The zoo staff has been briefed about the necessary sanitization methods which need to be followed. They have also been provided with gloves, gum boots and other personnel protective equipments.
“Following the protocol, all zoo keepers wash their hand at the main entry gate as well as before entering any of the cages. They have been provided with gloves and masks and have also been directed to wear them while feeding and cleaning the animal enclosures. A thermal scanner will soon be installed at the entry point so that all personnel are scanned daily at the gate itself,” said Director of Birsa Zoological Park, D Venkateshwarlu.
The cubs born on April 18 are absolutely healthy and the mother is feeding them regularly. Tiger cubs are born with closed eyes which generally open after about two weeks of birth.
The mother Anushka (8) and the father Malik (7) were brought here from Nehru Zoological Pak, Hyderabad in February 2016. The couple was blessed with three cubs in April 2018 as well.
“Reproduction of tigers is generally quite a challenging task espically in a zoo. The natural environment at the Birsa zoo is proving to be quite helpful in breeding the species. They babies have not been approached till now because the mother gets disturbed. All vaccinations will also only be administered after about three months. Presently the bubs move around the mother a little bit,” added the Director.
The gestation period of a tigress is of about three and a half months or 105 days. During this time minimum human interference is maintained with only the keeper allowed in the housing system.
“The mother and the children are being closely monitored daily. The tigress is feeding the cubs well and is also eating properly herself. Presently she is being fed chicken, meat and buffalo beef. With the temperature levels not being too high, the changes in the diet for summer months which is a routine process is also being taken for the animals,” said Dr Ajay Kumar, veterinary doctor at the zoo.