New Delhi: In a historic moment for wildlife conservation, the Delhi Zoo has recorded the birth of six Royal Bengal tiger cubs, marking the largest litter in over two decades at the facility. The cubs were born on Monday morning between 9 AM and 11 AM to seven-year-old tigress Aditi, who was brought from the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. This is Aditi’s first litter.
Delhi Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar confirmed that both the mother and cubs are under 24/7 CCTV surveillance, with the first 48 hours being crucial for their survival. “Aditi is of wild origin and has shown strong maternal instincts. We are monitoring her closely round-the-clock,” he said.
The zoo currently houses six white tigers and seven Royal Bengal tigers. This latest birth takes the Bengal tiger count to 13.
Notably, tigress Siddhi, also from Gorewada, had given birth to five cubs in 2023 — the first successful Bengal tiger birth at Delhi Zoo in nearly 18 years. However, only two survived. Similarly, a six-cub litter born in 2005 had only two survivors.
Veterinary Officer Dr Abhijit Bhawal revealed that Aditi was paired for breeding with white tiger Vijay, who earlier fathered cubs Avni and Vyom in 2022. Previous attempts with other male tigers Karan and Hari were unsuccessful. Confirmation of Aditi’s pregnancy came from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on May 26.
“Five of the cubs appear healthy and are being carefully observed in the enclosure with their mother,” said Dr Bhawal.
White tiger Vijay, who sired the current litter, also fathered cubs in 2022. Though visually distinct, white tigers are genetically the same as Royal Bengal tigers, lacking only the orange pigment called pheomelanin, Kumar added.
The Delhi Zoo, established in 1959 and operating under the Central Zoo Authority’s National Zoo Policy, has been a designated centre for tiger conservation since 2010.
This birth is not only a significant boost to the zoo’s conservation programme but also strengthens India’s broader efforts in preserving its national animal.
