Mysore/Mysuru: The Madhumalai Forest staff, who had rescued two 10-day-old male tiger cubs near the village bordering Madhumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) Forest in Tamil Nadu adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Saturday morning, will be shifting the rescued tiger cubs to Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), also known as the Vandalur Zoo in southwestern part of Chennai later today.

According to Krishan Kumar Kaushal, Field Director of Madhumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), it was decided shift the tiger cubs to ensure their well-being and safety. The Field Director has stated that the cubs were healthy and were fed special diet based on National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines. However, veterinarians at the Tiger Reserve feel that the cubs are highly vulnerable at this stage and need special care and infrastructure. As there are neo-natal care facilities for wild animals at Chennai, the two male cubs will be housed there for the next four months.

Also, decision has not been taken if the cubs can be brought back to MTR for in-situ rearing as per the Field Director. Cubs will be taken care of by K. Sridhar, Veterinary Surgeon – AAZP and K. Rajeshkumar, Forest Veterinarian, MTR, during the transit.