A three-year-old normal-coloured tigress, Jayashree, at Nandankanan Zoological Park delivered three cubs in her first litter on December 27, 2025, following a 101-day gestation period, zoo officials said. Of the three cubs, only one has survived and is currently receiving round-the-clock veterinary care at the Zoo Hospital.
Breeding Details
Jayashree had mated with the normal-coloured tiger Amit, with mating recorded between September 15 and 17, 2025. As this was her first delivery, the tigress reportedly lacked adequate maternal instinct, which affected post-birth care.
Timeline of Births and Care
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First cub: Born at 11:55 PM. As the mother did not attend to the cub, it was immediately transferred to the Neonatal Care Unit and placed under close observation by zoo veterinarians.
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Second cub: Born at around 3:34 PM and was extremely weak at birth. Despite immediate intervention after an accident during handling, the cub did not survive.
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Third cub: Delivered at 4:55 PM but did not survive shortly after birth.
Surviving Cub Under ICU Monitoring
The only surviving cub remains in the ICU of the Zoo Hospital, where veterinary teams are continuously monitoring its health and development to ensure the best possible outcome.
Current Tiger Count at Nandankanan
With this birth, the total tiger population at Nandankanan Zoological Park stands at 29:
18 males, 11 females, and no cubs currently on display, as the surviving cub remains under intensive care.
Zoo authorities reiterated their commitment to providing the highest standards of neonatal care and conservation-focused management for the animals.
