Zoo management invites animal lovers to name the cubs
Jamshedpur, Feb. 5: Tata Steel Zoological Park released three female tiger cubs born on August 23, 2017 for public viewing on Monday. Animal lovers visiting zoo can see cubs. The cubs were born to mother Dona, who was also born in captivity on April 16, 2012 to Shanti and Raghav.
Rishad Chinoy, general secretary, Tata Steel Zoological Society, Bipul Chakrabarty along with other staff and zoo keepers were present at the time of their release. The authorities also officially started their naming process inviting name suggestions from people across the city and beyond.
“We were taking care of the cubs and after five months we decided that the cubs were fit for public viewing. The staff of the zoo have taken extra to ensure the cubs are fit and healthy and were kept warm during winters,” said Chakrabarty.
The officials went on to inform that since the cubs were born, they were under 24 hour CCTV vigil by their keepers and the zoo administration. At present there are six tigers in the Tata Zoo- Dona, Ahana (Aug 27, 2014) born to Shanti and Raghav. Dona’s three female cubs and their father Kailash who was brought from Tirupati zoo.
Following the past trend, Tata Zoo authorities are asking people to name the three cubs and have invited name suggestions on their Facebook page and email. Chakrabarty said that the website too will soon upload a link from where people can suggest names. Earlier too, the zoo has taken similar initiatives to establish a bond between people and wildlife. Starting from today, people can send in their suggestions in the next 30 days which will be followed by a lottery to be organised at a small function.
The contest will be open to public and visitors. Names of the cubs shall be announced on the occasion of World Wildlife day falling on 3rd March 2018.
Tata Steel Zoological Park, a recognised medium category zoo by Central Zoo Authority, Govt. of India, has been working towards conservation of endangered species like Bengal tiger, whose population in wild has nosedived to around 2200+. On the other hand, due to scientific management adopted by the zoo, there has been success in breeding of tigers in captivity after a lull since 1999.
As result of the Management’s effort, a male tiger Raghav was acquired from Assam State Zoo Guwahati in 2010 and paired with Shanti the zoo born female tiger. Shanti gave birth to Dona in the year 2012 later followed by Ahana and Vivaan in 2014.