In 2012, a lively young couple from Karnataka will come to Jamshedpur to move in with a dysfunctional family and a staid spinster.
Tata Steel Zoological Park will get a tiger pair either from Shimoga zoo or Bannerghatta National Park, both in Karnataka. Both the animal parks have agreed to gift Tata zoo a big cat couple, but it remains to be seen what Karnataka state government and Central Zoo Authority finally decide.
Either way, 2012 will bring new neighbours for Royal Bengal couple Shanti (12), Raghav (6), their unnamed newborn son already rejected by the mother. Not to forget a quiet white tigress, Rita, also the same age as Shanti but lacks the yellow siren's glamour.
"Directors of Shimoga zoo and Bannerghatta National Park have sent recommendations to the Karnataka government. Based on that, we will forward our case to Central Zoo Authority, which will specify which animal park will give us the tigers," said Tata zoo director Bipul Chakravarty.
The director had recently attended a zoo conference in Hyderabad, where he had requested his counterparts at Shimoga and Bannerghatta counterparts to gift a pair of young tigers.
"The tigers will be a little more than three years old. We are expecting them this year. The process will take some months," he said, adding that after the successful mating between Shanti and Raghav, the zoo wanted more cubs.
"We want to contribute to the country's tiger population. We will be grateful to get a tiger pair as a gift, but are ready to exchange other animals for the big cats if needed. Let's see how things turn out," Chakravarty said.
Shanti, who delivered a male cub in November-end, was over-protective in the beginning and then did a U-turn.
Her maternal rejection didn't just baffle the little one, it had the authorities worried.
"Shanti is past her prime and has no interest in her newborn. She may not conceive again. We need younger animals for the breeding programme," an official said.
The ageing tigress also may just want to peacefully bask in the sun and not be in the mood for romance. Incidentally, it had taken Herculean efforts from zoo authorities to mate Shanti with Raghav.
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