Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoo has achieved a historic milestone with the recent birth of three tiger cubs, marking a significant moment in conservation efforts in the region. The cubs, born on May 11 to a tigress brought from West Bengal as part of an animal exchange program, are the first tiger cubs to be born at the zoo since its establishment in 1972.
Zoo director Biswajit Das confirmed the birth of the cubs, stating that they are being well cared for and are thriving. The mother tigress and her cubs are currently housed in an enclosure, while the male tiger has been moved as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the newborns.
To monitor the tigress and her cubs, the zoo authorities have installed 11 CCTV cameras for continuous surveillance. Public access to the enclosure has been restricted to minimize stress on the animals during this critical period.
Special feeding routines have been implemented to ensure the health and nutrition of the mother tigress and her cubs. “We are providing a balanced diet to the tigress, including fresh meat and soup multiple times a day to ensure the cubs receive enough milk,” Das explained.
The birth of the tiger cubs has been lauded by Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma as a positive step towards tiger conservation at the zoo. He emphasized the state’s commitment to further developing Sepahijala Zoo into a world-class facility, with hopes for support from the Central Zoo Authority and the central government.
Sepahijala Zoo has been a popular wildlife attraction in the region, recording approximately 1.70 lakh visitors in 2024-25. The birth of the tiger cubs is expected to further enhance the zoo’s reputation and contribute to its conservation efforts.
