Tigress Abandons Cubs, Three Tiger Cubs Die in Bannerghatta Biological Park Despite Medical Efforts

Three tiger cubs have died at Bannerghatta Biological Park despite medical efforts. Tigress Hima Das allegedly abandoned her third litter, resulting in injuries to the cubs. Despite intensive care, all three cubs died due to various injuries. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death for each cub. The incident raises concerns about maternal instincts in captive tigers.

Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru has recently experienced a tragic event where three tiger cubs died despite intensive medical efforts. The incident occurred after the mother tigress, Hima Das, allegedly abandoned her third litter of cubs, leading to injuries that ultimately proved fatal.

On July 7, tigress Hima Das gave birth to her third litter, consisting of three cubs. However, she did not take care of them, resulting in injuries. The cubs were subsequently shifted to a hospital for intensive care and hand-rearing. Despite the best efforts of doctors, the cubs did not survive. On July 8, a male cub died, followed by another male and a female cub on July 9.

A post-mortem conducted by the veterinary team revealed the causes of death for each cub. One male cub died due to a cervical injury caused by stamping, another male cub succumbed to injuries to the brain tissue and meningeal hematoma resulting from the mother's bites on its head, and the female cub died from stamping. The entire ordeal was monitored by CCTV, and animal keepers and doctors provided utmost care to both the mother and the cubs.

This incident raises concerns about maternal instincts in captive tigers. Officials noted that it is common for mothers in captivity to abandon their cubs due to the lack of maternal instincts, and the cubs are often hand-reared at the zoo hospital.

This tragedy comes close on the heels of another incident where a female tigress and her four cubs died in the Hugyam range of the MM Hills on June 26.

References:
[1] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/three-tiger-cubs-die-in-bannerghatta-biological-park/
[2] https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/karnataka/3-tiger-cubs-die-at-bengaluru-bannerghatta-biological-park-196501