Four lion cubs die within a day of birth at Shivamogga Zoo
Four lion cubs born at Shivamogga Zoo died shortly after birth due to complications and a lack of maternal care. Zoo officials noted that captive breeding of big cats, especially with first-time mothers, carries significant risks.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the challenges and ethical complexities involved in captive breeding programs for endangered species in zoos.
Sara, a three-year-old lioness at the Shivamogga Zoo, gave birth to four cubs — two male and two female — a few days ago, but all four died within a day, dealing a setback to the zoo’s lion breeding programme.
Sara, brought to the zoo from Indore in September 2025, had been paired with Shiva, a male lion. Animal keepers had noticed the pair mating three months ago. However, there were hardly any signs of pregnancy, and she mated with the male again — unusual during pregnancy — leading the staff to conclude that she was not pregnant. Officials said they were not anticipating the delivery of cubs.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in