07 April,2023 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The cub was born on March 25, along with three others who died over the past few days. Representation pic
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The fourth and the last surviving cub born to Srivalli, the tigress, is a little alert now and has gained some weight, but her condition remains critical, officials told mid-day on Thursday. The SGNP authorities and a veterinarian are constantly monitoring the 12-day-old.
The 12-day-old female offspring of Srivalli and Bajirao was born along with three of her siblings in captivity at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on March 25. While the three perished over the past few days, she continues to battle for life.
An official from the forest department said, "The fourth cub is in critical condition, but our team and the veterinarian are doing everything possible to save her life." They are closely monitoring the cub's temperature and feeding her milk formula, but not forcibly. An X-ray has revealed congestion in the chest, said the official.
The cub weighed 780 grams when she was brought to the hospital on March 30. Representation pic
Veterinary officer Dr Nikhil Bangar said, "When this female cub came to the hospital on March 30, she weighed 780 grams and was dehydrated, weak and malnourished. It looks like she got very little milk from the mother or none at all. Getting colostrum [first milk produced post-pregnancy] from the mother is crucial in improving immunity and the overall growth of the cub.
Also read: Mumbai's little-known tryst with tigers and the continued need for conservation efforts
He added, "We are working day and night to stabilise the last surviving cub. We have conducted several diagnostic tests. Currently, the cub's health is showing improvement and she is gaining weight, as she is taking all the feedings along with external supplements. Today [Thursday], her weight was 1,140 grams." The cubs were born at the SGNP after 13 long years.
360 gm
Weight cub gained since Mar 30
