In a heartbreaking development for wildlife enthusiasts, an eight-month-old royal Bengal tiger cub has died at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The young tiger, which had been hand-reared after being separated from its mother, succumbed on Sunday after a brief period of illness. With this loss, the zoo’s tiger population has fallen to 26.
The cub was one of three born on December 27, 2025, to tigress Jayashree and tiger Ankit. Tragically, two of the siblings died soon after birth. In a bid to give the surviving cub the best chance at life, authorities carefully separated it from its mother and moved it to the hand-rearing centre. There, the little tiger thrived under human care, responding well to training and growing steadily.
In recent days, however, the cub fell ill. Despite the efforts of the zoo’s veterinary team, it passed away on Sunday. Officials said the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem report is received.
Nandankanan remains one of India’s premier tiger facilities. The current population of 26 includes five rare melanistic tigers, five white tigers, and 16 of the classic golden-orange variety. The zoo continues its dedicated conservation and breeding programmes for these majestic animals.
The loss of the young cub is a reminder of the fragile nature of wildlife, even in protected environments. Zoo authorities have expressed deep sorrow and reiterated their commitment to the remaining big cats under their care.
