Tripura's Only Zoo Celebrates Major Success in Tiger Conservation
Agartala, May 19 — In a landmark moment for wildlife conservation in Tripura, the Sepahijala Zoo has celebrated the birth of three tiger cubs, marking the first time in its history that tigers have been born within its premises.Established in 1972, the Sepahijala Zoo has never witnessed such an event. The zoo's director, Biswajit Das, shared that the birth of the cubs has increased the total number of tigers in the facility to five.
Cubs Born to Tigers Brought from West Bengal
The tigress who gave birth was part of a tiger pair brought from West Bengal in February last year through an animal exchange programme. On May 11, the tigress delivered three healthy cubs."The mother and her cubs are doing well inside the enclosure," said Das, adding that the male tiger has been relocated as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
Round-the-Clock Surveillance and Special Care
To ensure the well-being of the tigress and her cubs, the zoo has installed eleven CCTV cameras around the enclosure for continuous monitoring. Visitors are currently not permitted to approach the area to avoid causing any disturbance."We are providing the tigress with a balanced diet, including fresh meat and soup multiple times a day, to ensure that the cubs receive sufficient milk," Das explained.
The only previous instance of a tigress giving birth at Sepahijala Zoo was in 2014, but that cub was stillborn.
Positive Step for Conservation and Tourism
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma hailed the cubs' birth as a significant boost for the zoo's conservation efforts. "This is a positive sign for tiger conservation. We are striving to develop Sepahijala Zoo into a world-class facility," he said.He also emphasized the need for support from the Central Zoo Authority and the central government in terms of training and infrastructure.
The zoo has attracted approximately 1.70 lakh visitors during the 2024-25 period, showcasing its growing popularity and importance as a conservation hub in the region.