HYDERABAD: The year-old female lion cub in Nehru zoological park, named Mahismati because her birth closely coincided with the release of ‘Baahubali’, passed away on Saturday. Cause of death: unknown. Belonging to the Asiatic lion species, the category is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List because of its small population.
Zoo officials say that the reason for her death is still under investigation. The veterinary doctors at the zoo have collected samples. They say that the cub was looking healthy until Friday night. The enclosure was immediately checked for any reptiles or external causes of death, but nothing was found.
Shivani Dongre, the curator, says, “The enclosure couldn’t have had anything in it because all these cubs were always together and none of them has been harmed. We will be keeping a check on the three other cubs as well.” The mother of the cub was also born in the zoo and she seemed restless throughout the day while the cub was taken away, say zoo officials. Zoo officials also say that there was no change in the eating habits of Mahismati and no alteration in her regular behaviour.
