Two new Mumbaikars at Byculla zoo finally get their own names

Mayor Kishori Pednekar at the naming event of the new members at Byculla Zoo on Tuesday

A Tiger cub and a baby penguin are the new members of the Veermata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan, popularly known as Byculla zoo. Mayor Kishori Pednekar announced the names of both on Tuesday.

The female cub born to Royal Bengal Tigers Shakti and Karisma on November 14, 2021 has been named Veera. The male Humboldt penguin born to Molt and Flipper on August 18, last year has been named Oscar.

Veera, the tiger cub. Pic/Byculla Zoo

The adult Royal Bengal tigers Shakti (male) and Karisma (female) were brought from Siddharth Garden at Aurangabad to the zoo, which had not had tigers for at least 15 years, on February 12.

Oscar, swims in the penguin enclosure. Pics/Suresh Karkera

The pair was placed in a newly built enclosure for public display, but the lockdown started soon after. A zoo official said, "Karisma and Veera are safe and the cub is now two months old. Karisma is taking good care of her cub who is growing well. Veera will be kept under the care of a veterinarian till she is six months old. She has been given vaccines and medicines for gastrointestinal parasites. Currently, the caretaker is allowed to go near her only in the presence of a veterinarian."