Adopt tiger cubs and get to name them

Mangaluru: The Pilikula Biological Park will soon invite the public to adopt and name two tiger cubs born to the 14-year-old tigress Rani in Dec. As part of the park's animal adoption programme, citizens can adopt the cubs for a year at a cost of around Rs 3-5 lakh each. Pilikula Development Authority commissioner in-charge, Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, said that this will be part of a major drive expected to be launched in May. "We already held one round of discussions with the deputy commissioner, and slabs and details of animals available for adoption have been finalised. Meanwhile, spot adoptions are also being considered. This drive is essential, keeping in mind the upkeep of animals, he said.
"The annual cost of caring for a tiger is around Rs 5 lakh. This is for the adult tigers, including vaccination, feeding, routine treatments like deworming, and maintenance. We are looking for donors to adopt these cubs for a year, and the adopter will also have the privilege of naming them, as the cubs have not yet been named," said ACF Prashanth Pai, director in-charge of the park.
A male and a female cub were born on the night of Dec 20. "The cubs are healthy. Their vaccination is complete. We will wait for at least six months before shifting them to the enclosure," Pai said.
The tigress was brought to Pilikula in 2016 from Bannerghatta Biological Park through an animal exchange programme. She gave birth to five cubs in 2016 and three in 2021. The zoo is now home to 10 tigers, including five males.
Pilikula continues to participate actively in animal exchange programmes. Recently, two king cobras were sent to Bhopal zoo in exchange for two Royal Bengal tigers. However, the transfer has been delayed due to the prevailing hot and humid conditions on the coast and pending enclosure preparations.
In another potential exchange, the park is considering acquiring a sloth bear from Hampi in return for a tiger. The bears in the park have grown old. However, a final decision will be made following discussions with the commissioner, PDA and the deputy commissioner, he said.
Recognised as one of the country's 17 major zoos by the Central Zoo Authority, the park houses more than 1,200 animals, birds, and reptiles. Unfortunately, so far only one blue gold macaw has been adopted.