Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar has witnessed a significant milestone with the birth of a new tiger cub. The normal-coloured tigress Ankita delivered the cub after a 103-day gestation period, further strengthening the zoo’s tiger population. The newborn’s father is tiger Saif, and their mating was recorded on November 13, 2024.
With this birth, the total number of tigers in Nandankanan Zoo has now increased to 28, comprising 16 males, 11 females, and one newborn cub whose sex is yet to be determined. To ensure the well-being of both Ankita and her cub, they are currently under 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
Ankita, born on January 13, 2012, to tigers Rishi and Sara at Nandankanan, has now delivered eight cubs across three litters. Her first litter, born on January 12, 2018, consisted of a male cub who died after a day and a female cub named Silky. In her second litter, born on February 17, 2023, she gave birth to one male cub named Amit, three female cubs named Shree, Jayashree, and Trupti, and one stillborn cub. With this new addition in February 2025, Ankita continues to play a crucial role in Nandankanan’s tiger conservation efforts.
Among her total offspring, two have died, four are surviving, and two have been relocated to different zoos. Silky was transferred to Jaipur Zoo in March 2021, while Trupti was moved to Alipore Zoo, Kolkata, in August 2024. The arrival of this new cub marks a positive development for tiger conservation in Odisha, reinforcing Nandankanan’s role as a key breeding and conservation center. The zoo authorities remain hopeful for the cub’s healthy growth, and wildlife enthusiasts eagerly await updates on its progress and gender identification.
Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar has witnessed a significant milestone with the birth of a new tiger cub. The normal-coloured tigress Ankita delivered the cub after a 103-day gestation period, further strengthening the zoo’s tiger population. The newborn’s father is tiger Saif, and their mating was recorded on November 13, 2024.
With this birth, the total number of tigers in Nandankanan Zoo has now increased to 28, comprising 16 males, 11 females, and one newborn cub whose sex is yet to be determined. To ensure the well-being of both Ankita and her cub, they are currently under 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
Ankita, born on January 13, 2012, to tigers Rishi and Sara at Nandankanan, has now delivered eight cubs across three litters. Her first litter, born on January 12, 2018, consisted of a male cub who died after a day and a female cub named Silky. In her second litter, born on February 17, 2023, she gave birth to one male cub named Amit, three female cubs named Shree, Jayashree, and Trupti, and one stillborn cub. With this new addition in February 2025, Ankita continues to play a crucial role in Nandankanan’s tiger conservation efforts.
Among her total offspring, two have died, four are surviving, and two have been relocated to different zoos. Silky was transferred to Jaipur Zoo in March 2021, while Trupti was moved to Alipore Zoo, Kolkata, in August 2024. The arrival of this new cub marks a positive development for tiger conservation in Odisha, reinforcing Nandankanan’s role as a key breeding and conservation center. The zoo authorities remain hopeful for the cub’s healthy growth, and wildlife enthusiasts eagerly await updates on its progress and gender identification.
