lion cubs have died-Representational Image— DC File

HYDERABAD: A series of unexplained deaths of young animals has troubled the NehruZoological Park in Hyderabad. At least four lion cubs have died in the past

month or so, which were preceded by the deaths of three tiger cubs.All the cubs of these big cats were being hand-reared.
Four of the five lion cubs, three African and one Asiatic, that were beinghand-reared have died since September. Some months ago, two white tiger cubs
and another tiger cub also died, according to sources.The cubs were hand-reared because their mothers were not caring for them, it

is learnt.While hand-rearing of young animals is not an uncommon practice, the deaths
of big cat cubs one after the other, have reportedly left zoo officialsperplexed. According to sources, in accordance with protocol, post-mortemexaminations of the animals were conducted with the assistance of

veterinarians from the Veterinary Biological Research Institute. The zooofficials are learnt to be waiting for the post-mortem examination results.
However, sources said the post-mortem examinations did not reveal anyparticular cause for the deaths of the lion cubs. "There was nothing wrong
with any of their organs that could have pointed to a particular issue. Theyjust became weak one after the other and died. The last surviving one is

also reportedly not doing well," sources said.The deaths of the lion cubs are not the latest such tragedies to strike thecity zoo. Five ostrich chicks also died recently, as did a white-backedvulture, and no causes could be established for these deaths either, thesources said. Such a succession of deaths among young animals is unusual,
the sources added.


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