Zoo’s claim of tiger breeding raises questions

Bahawalpur Zoo has recently done breeding of a Bengal tiger through hormonal therapy, a first in the country. The authorities stated that an aged female tiger gave birth to four cubs because of the therapy.

While Punjab Wildlife Department celebrated this as a major success, doubts have arisen regarding the authenticity of the claim.

Evidence suggests that the tiger gave birth to the four cubs naturally at the end of January, rather than because of hormonal therapy. The same pair had already produced three healthy cubs in 2021.

Punjab wildlife officials had earlier announced the successful breeding of 32-year-old female tiger named Rani and a male tiger through hormonal therapy. The female tiger reportedly gave birth to four cubs, named Babli, Maxi, Rosie and Jenny.

Bahawalpur Zoo Curator Dr Tariq Mahmood explained that the aging pair was unable to breed naturally, leading the experts to resort to hormonal therapy to stimulate reproduction. He stated that human hormones were used to enhance the reproductive abilities of the male and female tigers.

However, Dr Mahmood couldn't confirm whether future pregnancies would require hormonal therapy or natural breeding would be possible.

When contacted, veterinary experts at Lahore and Safari Zoo acknowledged that such methods are used abroad but claimed to have no knowledge of their implementation in Pakistan. They said their information on the Bahawalpur Zoo's use of hormonal therapy had come solely from media reports.

A senior wildlife official confirmed that the tiger cubs were born four months ago and their birth had been recorded in the zoo's register and head office.

However, sources said no tests had been conducted on the tigers prior to the therapy, neither had approval been obtained from higher authorities as required for unusual treatments or experiments on zoo animals.

On the other hand, male and female giraffes at Bahawalpur Zoo and pairs of rhinoceros and hippopotamus at Lahore Zoo are unable to breed due to age differences, but have not been given hormonal therapy.

The deputy director of the department for Bahawalpur could not be contacted for comments.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2023.