Agartala: In a milestone for wildlife conservation in Tripura, the Sepahijala Zoo has welcomed three tiger cubs—the first-ever tiger births in the zoo’s history since its establishment in 1972.
Zoo Director Biswajit Das confirmed the historic development, noting that the birth marks a significant step forward for the state’s only zoological park.
“With the arrival of these cubs, the number of tigers in the zoo has increased to five,” he said.
The cubs were born on May 11 to a tigress brought to Sepahijala from West Bengal in February last year, along with a male companion, as part of an inter-zoo animal exchange programme.
“The mother and cubs are healthy and under close observation. As a precaution, the male tiger has been relocated to a separate enclosure,” Das added.
To ensure the safety and well-being of the mother and her newborns, the zoo has installed 11 CCTV cameras around the enclosure for round-the-clock monitoring.
Visitors are currently restricted from accessing the area to avoid any disturbances during this crucial period.
The zoo staff is providing a carefully balanced diet to the tigress, including fresh meat and nutrient-rich soup served two to three times a day to support lactation and ensure the cubs receive adequate nourishment.
This isn’t the zoo’s first attempt at tiger breeding. In 2014, another tigress gave birth to a stillborn cub, Das recalled.
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma hailed the cubs’ birth as a positive sign for tiger conservation efforts in the region.
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“We are working towards transforming Sepahijala Zoo into a world-class facility. With training support from the Central Zoo Authority and assistance from the Centre, we are optimistic about achieving this goal,” he said.
In the 2024–25 period, the zoo recorded a footfall of approximately 1.7 lakh visitors, reflecting its growing appeal and public interest in wildlife preservation.
