Newborn tiger cubs and penguin chicks are star attractions at Mumbai heritage zoo

Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo and Botanical Garden, aka Byculla or Rani Baug Zoo, which started in 1862, continues to be in news and draw more and more visitors. Recently, the zoo started a Crocodile Trail – billed as Asia’s first and now they have new inmates.

The two new additions to the Zoo, include two new Royal Bengal Tiger cubs and three penguin chicks.

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This was announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration which takes care of the zoo. In a statement BMC said the tigers, nine-year-old Shakti and seven-year-old Karishma, have given birth to two male cubs. These have been christened as Jai and Rudra.

With this the number of cubs in the Byculla Zoo have become four. Born on November 4 last year, the two are being taken care of by their mother.

Earlier these cubs were kept in a quarantine zone and from May 11 they have been released in the public viewing enclosure keeping in mind the summer vacation crowd.

Sharing details about the cubs, Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, the Zoo Director said that the cubs were being given a normal diet and they are provided the same meat which their parents eat.

Besides the tiger cubs, three penguin chicks — two female and one male – are new additions to the Zoo. Born in the past six months, their presence has now taken the present number of these birds to 15.

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Siri was born from the existing penguins Molt and Flipper; Nemo from Papaya and Olive; and Dora from Donald and Daisy.

The pair Oreo and Bubble are also expected to give birth to chicks soon.

Also read: Mumbaikars flock to Asia’s first Crocodile Trail at heritage zoo