Bhubaneswar: A white tiger cub at Nandankanan Zoological Park, on the outskirts of Odisha capital, died on Sunday evening, according to zoo officials.
The cub, one of three born to melanistic tiger Krishna and white tigress Rupa on November 2 last year, had been under veterinary care since March after it suffered an injury on its leg.
Zoo authorities promptly separated it from its mother when it showed signs of illness, including weakness and difficulty in movement. It was then put under treatment, including medication, diagnostic imaging and nutritional support, and experts from the Centre for Wildlife Health (CWH) were consulted. The blood tests, however, revealed no major issues.
The cub was returned to the enclosure after it displayed signs of recovery. However, it fell ill the following morning and died that evening. A postmortem is underway to determine the cause of death.
The other two cubs, both normal-coloured, are exhibiting similar symptoms and are receiving medical screening and treatment, the officials added.
The loss has brought the tiger population down to 27 in the zoo. These inlcude 18 normal-coloured, 5 white, and 4 melanistic tigers.