Bengal Tigress Nethravati' gives birth to four cubs at Pilikula

Mangaluru, Mar 25: Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park at Pilikula Nisargadhama on the outskirts of the city has witnessed the birth of four lion cubs. Nethravati, the Royal Bengal Tigress is the mother.

“The new cubs, born a week ago, have opened their eyes and are being nurtured by the mother tigress,” H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, director of the park, said.

“As the first two months for the newborn cubs are critical in terms of contracting infections, only the caretakers of the animal are allowed to monitor them. Visitors will be allowed once the cubs are vaccinated and fit to be exhibited,” he said.

Mr. Bhandary said that in the first two months, they would feed on mother's milk only and nothing else.

With the arrival of the young ones, the park now has 11 tigers, including eight adults. Of the adults, seven are male and one is a female.

Earlier in 2014, the same tigress had given birth to two cubs, Akshay and Manju, who are now grown up and healthy. They were adopted by Manoj Shetty, Saju Neliyar and Subbanna Shetty.

Netravathi gave birth to Krishna in 2011 which was adopted by the then Minister J. Krishna Palemar. Later it was given to Surat Zoo under an animal exchange programme. Mr. Bhandary said that animal lovers could adopt the four new cubs. If adopted, they would have the option of naming them.

The park would announce whether the new ones are male or female after two months. He said earlier those who have adopted various animals at the park have given up to Rs. 2 lakh per year. The park has not fixed any minimum amount for adopting animals. But a reasonable amount would have to be given.