BAHAWALPUR: A lioness and a blue bull (Nilgai) gave birth to a cub and a calf, respectively, at the Bahawalpur Zoo on Thursday.

Bahawalpur Wildlife Deputy Director Usman Ali Bokhari, also the zoo curator, told Dawn that the African lioness gave birth to a female cub, that was immediately shifted to hatchery for its safety as it was apprehended that the aggressive young mother might kill her soon after giving birth in captivity.

He said the lioness, who was also born at the Bahawalpur Zoo years back, gave birth for the first time.

Mr Bokhari said with the addition of the new cub, the number of African and other lions at the zoo rose to 20 and all were in good health.

He said the Bahawal Zoo, because of good fertility of the big cats, earns substantial income by selling lions to other zoos across the country.

The curator said as the cub was separated from its mother soon after the birth, it was being fed on special milk in the hatchery.

According to Mr Bokhari, the female cub would be kept for about two months in the hatchery equipped with the latest gadgets. During this period, she would also be fed pieces of beef and after two months shifted to a separate enclosure, away from its mother, he added.

The deputy director said that on growing up and attaining its natural colour, she would be reunited with the adult members of the pride.

Meanwhile, he said, a blue bull also gave birth to a healthy calf at the zoo.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024