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Two panther cubs doing well at Vizag zoo

Raring to go: The two panther cubs in a playful mood at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: When the three panther cubs were born at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park on July 19, the zoo authorities were delighted at this unique occurrence. However, the death of one of the cubs a day later left them in a tizzy. Three months hence, the two cubs have adapted well and if all goes well, they would be soon kept on display in a few months time. “Birth of triplets in panthers is a rare occurrence. They usually give birth to two cubs at a time. One of the female cubs that died the next day was in a weak physical state,” zoo curator Rahul Pandey told The Hindu. The two cubs, one male and one female, are being kept with the mother. With the dentition is slowly developing, each cub is being fed with 150 gms of minced chicken every day.

With the birth of the two cubs, the panther population in the zoo has risen to five. “The first few months after birth are very critical in the case of felines. The cubs have to be kept under close observation,” the curator said. The zoo authorities took care to see the cubs were not disturbed in the initial three months.

Panthers being expert climbers, the characteristic trait is predominant among the young ones too. The cubs tend to climb on the mesh in their enclosure and as result of the fall sustain minor injuries.

The first dose of vaccination has been administered and the second dose will be given to the cubs soon, he added.

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