Delhi Zoo has a big reason to cheer. Six Royal Bengal tiger cubs were born here on April 21, 2025, marking the largest tiger litter at the zoo in two decades. As per the zoo officials, the cubs were delivered by a 7-year-old tigress named Aditi, who was brought to the zoo from the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur in 2021. This is her first litter.The father is a white tiger named Vijay. While white tigers differ in colour due to a lack of pheomelanin, they belong to the same species as Bengal tigers.The zoo has confirmed that all six cubs survived the crucial first 48 hours after birth. The animals are currently under 24×7 CCTV surveillance, and the zoo staff are monitoring the mother and cubs continuously to ensure their health and safety.Read More: Exploring wild side of Goa: 5 wildlife sanctuaries that are a treat to the sensesAditi had previously failed to conceive during earlier breeding attempts with two other tigers, Karan and Hari, in 2023 and 2024. Veterinary officer Dr. Abhijit Bhawal stated that confirmation of pregnancy came from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on May 26, 2025. The successful birth followed the eventual pairing with Vijay, who had previously fathered tiger cubs Avni and Vyom.Siddhi’s previous litter provided important insights for the zoo. Although three cubs did not survive, the experience offered valuable information on maternal behaviour, enclosure-related stress, and postnatal care. These learnings helped shape the care plan for Aditi.Under the guidance of Dr. Abhijit Bhawal, the veterinary team refined key aspects of her management— including diet, movement, temperature regulation, and medical monitoring. In the weeks before delivery, Aditi was kept isolated and calm to minimise stress.This marks the second successful birth of Bengal tiger cubs at the zoo since 2005. In 2023, another tigress named Siddhi, also from Gorewada, gave birth to five cubs — only two of which survived. Siddhi’s birth had ended an 18-year-long gap in Bengal tiger births at the zoo.Read More: Beyond Gangtok: 5 hill stations in Sikkim that define peace and serenityThe zoo currently houses six white tigers and seven Bengal tigers. With the birth of the new cubs, the enclosures are being expanded to accommodate the growing tiger population.The Delhi Zoo was inaugurated on November 1, 1959. In 2010, under the Central Zoo Authority’s conservation breeding programme for 73 critically endangered species, the zoo was designated as a breeding centre for tigers.
