At Assam state zoo, ‘Rani’ gives birth to two lion cubs

Guwahati: What could have been more welcoming for the Assam state zoo and botanical garden in the New Year than the birth of two lion cubs? Seven-year-old lioness Rani gave birth to two healthy cubs in the zoo on Tuesday and the two have already become great attractions at the zoo. The number of lions in the zoo is now seven.
Rani gave birth to her first child Simba (male) during the Covid-19 induced nationwide lockdown in May 2020.
Ashwini Kumar, DFO of the zoo, said, “The cubs are doing absolutely fine and the health of the mother is also good. Keepers and vets have been taking care of the newborns. The cubs as well as the mother are being constantly monitored through CCTV cameras. Mats and heaters have been placed for the cubs to keep them warm in the cold.” The DFO said the gender of the cubs is yet to be ascertained.
He added that the zoo has 1,236 wild animals and birds of over 100 species. Established in 1957 and spread over 175 hectares in the middle of Guwahati in the Hengrabari reserve forest, it is the biggest zoological park in the northeastern region.
The forest official added that Simba, who is now over two years old, is also doing fine at the zoo.