The other cub, a male, which was born weak and has been kept at the zoo hospital ever since, is also doing well and may join his siblings at a separate enclosure in the main zoo complex later in January next year — when all three will turn seven months.
Alipore zoo director Asish Kumar Samanta said that the mother has become very protective ever since the birth of the cubs. “That’s why we have been keeping a watch on her 24x7 through CCTV cameras fixed at the enclosure,” Samanta added.
And, the cameras in the enclosure have revealed some intimate moments of bonding between the mother and two cubs.
“Shruti always keeps a watch on her cubs — be it while relaxing, eating — she doesn’t let them go even for a moment. All of them cuddle together when they sleep,” said Samanta.
According to the zoo director, the cubs have also got a taste of meat now. “They are two and a half months old now and depend on mother’s milk. But they have already started licking the meat that we offer their mother. The CCTV cameras have revealed this. In December, when they will turn six months, we have plans to release them in the open enclosure with their mother so that the visitors get a glimpse of the duo,” added Samanta. Later in January next year, the zoo officials are planning to keep all three cubs together at an enclosure.
“The open area for lion is connected with eight enclosures. We will keep all three cubs at one of them in January. If they don’t fight, we might consider putting them on display together from January itself. By then, they will also shift to a diet of chicken,” the senior zoo official added.
According to Samanta, since Shruti is a nursing mother, she’s being offered meat twice daily.
“We are giving her 3kg chicken in the morning and 4kg buffalo meat in the evening. Besides, she is on medication for vitamin and calcium,” he added.
Usually, big carnivores like lion and tiger are given meat once a day for six days in the zoo. They are made to fast on the seventh day. But, since Shruti is nursing two cubs, special care is being given to her.
On the third cub, a male, Samanta said it’s also doing well. “We are keeping it in a balcony on the hospital premises throughout the day to ensure space for it. At night, we are shifting it to a cage kept inside a room,” he added. On being asked if they have named the cubs, Samanta said that the sex of two cubs, which are with the mother, is yet to be confirmed. “Once that’s done, we will name them together,” he added.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/december-date-for-zoo-lion-cubs-first-public-appearance/articleshow/71175228.cms
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