Bhubaneswar: Rupa, the white tigress at Nandankanan Zoo, is expecting her fourth litter, with the delivery expected by February 15.
The zoo’s veterinary doctor, Dr Sarat Kumar Sahu, has confirmed Rupa’s pregnancy, and she is being kept in a special enclosure within the tiger safari feeding chamber under close observation.
According to reports, Rupa was paired with tiger ‘Rajesh’ in November last year, and she is receiving special care from the zoo authorities. The Nandankanan Zoo has a successful breeding programme for white tigers, and Rupa’s new litter will contribute to the growing tiger population in the zoo.
Notably, Rupa, the white tigress at Nandankanan Zoo, has had three litters so far. Her first litter yielded three cubs in 2022, with one surviving cub, Himanshi. Himanshi was sent to Birsa Deer Park on July 9, 2024, as part of an animal exchange program. Currently, Nandankanan Zoo is home to 29 tigers.
