Four cubs born to tigress 'Sambhavi' in Sarthana Nature Park and Zoo have died barely 20 days after their birth. One of the underweight cubs died two days after birth while three were shifted to the zoo's veterinary hospital after they were abandoned by their mother. All three cubs died one after another over the last few days due to multiple health problems and low immunity.

"We tried our best to save the cubs after the tigress rejected them. The cubs did not have their mother's milk which resulted in reduction of anti-bodies," Dr Prafful Mehta, in-charge superintendent of Sarthana zoo, told TOI.

"Preliminary reports suggest the cubs died due to reduced immunity that resulted in bacterial and viral infection," added Dr Mehta.

"The tigress was ferocious and was not taking care of her cubs. Three cubs of the same tigress had died earlier too. We have captured footage of the birth and her behavior in a CCTV camera installed in the cage," he said.