Bengal Tiger’s family increases with birth of three cubs at Jungle World Zoo

Rawalpindi: Three cubs of Bengal tigers born here at Jungle World Zoo (Ayub National Park) under The Army Heritage Foundation by the tigress ‘Polly’ are now open for public view.

Born in March 2018 these cubs (1 male and two females) are now 8 weeks old. This is the first time the zoo administration of Jungle World has allowed media to interact with these cubs, otherwise they were locked inside the cages with their mother. ‘Polly’ gave birth to four cubs earlier in 2017 also.

Director Jungle World Park and Zoo, Colonel (r) Tasleem ul Haq said, they have provided comfortable environment for the animals to breed and now cubs are growing big quickly. While giving the history of the tigers received by Jungle World Zoo, the director said that in the year 2009 Jungle World Zoo had only one male white tiger named Umeed aged 17 years. AHF corresponded with the embassy of Pakistan in Brazil for the import of tigresses.

Brazilian Department of Environment & Natural Resources (IBAMA) offered a gift of three tigresses as a goodwill gesture. AHF had to pay only freight and services charges. The following three tigresses arrived in AHF in Sep 2010 namely ‘Pandora’ 19 years, Sasha 13 years and ‘Polly’ 7 years. In the year 2011, Sasha gave birth to two cubs and are still alive in JW Zoo (named Rawal & Rawail). Polly gave birth to four cubs in Aug 2011. Two cubs were exchanged in lieu of pair of Puma and 1 for Zebra respectively. Remaining two are still alive in Jungle World Zoo named Umeed (Junior) and Sasha (junior). In the month of Nov 2016, ‘Polly’ gave birth to 4 cubs (all females).

Two are with Jungle world and are medically fit. In year 2017, Sasha (junior) was exchanged with a female white tigress named ‘Kiran.’ White tigers are very rare and are not a different species of tigers, they are just white coloured Bengal tigers.

Head and body length of tigers is from 5 to 9 feet, weighing from 135 to 225 kgs. Their life span is normally from 18 to 20 years. They sleep for 16 hours a day and normally hunt during dusk or dawn. They are very good swimmer and loves to spend time in water in hot weather.