Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (UDN): Asiatic lioness Shreya has given birth to a cub at Nandankanan Zoological Park near Bhubaneswar, but the newborn is currently being raised under specialised care after the first-time mother reportedly failed to accept it.
Representational Image
Shreya, housed in enclosure number 18, delivered a single cub on Tuesday evening, according to reports. As she did not provide maternal care to the newborn, zoo authorities separated the cub from her and shifted it to the infant animal care centre within the veterinary hospital premises.
Experienced animal keepers are now bottle-feeding the cub with diluted milk formula. The newborn is being kept under controlled lighting and monitored as part of its early care.
First-Time Mother Does Not Accept Cub
The birth marked Shreya’s first pregnancy. Reports said the lioness did not show the expected maternal response towards the newborn, prompting zoo officials to intervene to ensure its care and survival.
The cub was born after Shreya mated with Asiatic lion Harsh. Both lions were born on August 29, 2024, to lion Samrat and lioness Bijli, along with another cub, Dhruv. As Shreya and Harsh are siblings, the newborn is the result of inbreeding.
Concerns Over Cub Survival
The latest birth comes amid concerns over the survival of lion cubs born through closely related pairings at the zoo.
Last month, lioness Maya gave birth to two cubs following mating with Shivam, who is also her litter-mate. One cub was stillborn, while the other, a male, died four days after birth while receiving veterinary care, according to the report.
The recent cases highlight the challenges involved in raising newborn lion cubs at Nandankanan, particularly when maternal care is absent or the cubs face additional risks.
Newborn Receives Intensive Care
With Shreya not caring for her cub, the immediate focus remains on providing appropriate feeding and a controlled environment for the newborn. Its long-term survival will depend on its condition and response to the care being provided.
Zoo authorities are continuing to care for the cub at the infant animal care centre. No further details about its current health condition or long-term prospects were available in the report.
