BAHAWALPUR: A Bengal tigress gave birth to three cubs at the local zoo here on Wednesday.

According to the zoo Curator, Sakhi Junejo, the newly-born cubs and the tigress were doing well. He added that the cubs were expected to open their eyes after a week or so.

He said as the tigress had turned aggressive following the birth of cubs and was not allowing the keeper to enter her cage, so the gender of the newborns could not be ascertained so far, adding that it would be possible after a week.

Bahawalpur Zoo has been fertile with regard to reproduction of tigers and lions, and would sell the excessive big cats to other zoos and wildlife parks across the country, earning a huge income, which it would spend on buying new animals and birds. However, for the last couple of years this aspect had almost been neglected by the authorities concerned.

Instead of bringing new animals, the Zoo had been losing some precious ones, including deer, whose mortality rates had been high during the previous years.

As per sources, six Chinkara deer had died mysteriously in the zoo last year and an inquiry was ordered into the issue. However, they said, report of the probe had not been made public by the Punjab wildlife director general so far, nor the responsibility for the alleged negligence fixed.

BOY DROWNS: A boy was feared drowned in the Shashmahi canal near the city.

According to Rescue 1122 district emergency officer, the rescuers and divers were making efforts to search the body in the canal. Besides, he said, fire damaged the franchise of a mobile company in the local grain market.

He said on being informed, the Rescue 1122 firefighters reached the spot and extinguished the fire.

No loss of life was reported, he added.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2021