Union MoS Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh reviews Animal Conservation and Welfare initiatives at National Zoological Park, New Delhi

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited the National Zoological Park, New Delhi today. During his visit, he reviewed key animal enclosures and ongoing conservation and welfare initiatives at the zoo.

The Minister visited the white tiger enclosure, where he named two female white tiger cubs born in March 2024 as ‘Durga’ and ‘Devi’. The cubs are the offspring of female white tigress ‘Sita’ and male white tiger ‘Vijay’. He also released ‘Durga’ into the exhibit arena for visitors viewing for the first time, marking a special moment for visitors and the zoo staffs.

The Minister thereafter reviewed the care and management of two Asiatic lion cubs—one male and one female—born in April 2025. The cubs were formally named ‘Kartik’ and ‘Karni’. The cubs are the offspring of female lioness ‘Mahagauri’ and male lion ‘Maheshwar’.

Shri Singh also visited the elephant enclosure to assess the management and welfare of the two asian elephants, Raj Laxmi and Heera Gaj. Later, he inspected the zoo hospital, where a tiger cub born in July 2025 is presently housed. He enquired in detail about its care, health status, and welfare measures.

The Minister also offered valuable suggestions for strengthening winter management practices for animals across the zoo. He discussed about the future activities planned for the better animal welfare and visitor experience with the Zoo officials.

At present zoo houses Six (2 Male: 4 Female) White Tigers – Sita, Vijay Jr., Vyom, Avni, Durga  and Devi; Six (3 Male: 3 Female) Lions – Sundram, Shailza, Maheshwar, Mahagauri; and Eight (3 Male: 4 Female : 1 Cub) Royal Bengal Tigers – Karan, Siddhi, Aditi, Dhairya, Dhatri, Hari, Sanatan and one cub.