On November 27, 2025, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited the National Zoological Park in New Delhi. He reviewed animal enclosures and conservation efforts. Two female white tiger cubs, born in March 2024 to white tigress Sita and white tiger Vijay, were named Durga and Devi. Durga was released into the exhibit arena for public viewing. The Minister also reviewed the care of two Asiatic lion cubs named Kartik and Karni, born in April 2025 to lioness Mahagauri and lion Maheshwar. Shri Singh inspected the elephant enclosure housing asian elephants Raj Laxmi and Heera Gaj and the zoo hospital where a tiger cub born in July 2025 is housed. He offered suggestions for strengthening winter animal care practices and discussed future animal welfare plans with zoo officials. As of the visit, the zoo houses six white tigers (2 male, 4 female - Sita, Vijay Jr., Vyom, Avni, Durga, and Devi), six lions (3 male, 3 female - Sundram, Shailza, Maheshwar, Mahagauri), and eight Royal Bengal tigers (3 male, 4 female, 1 cub - Karan, Siddhi, Aditi, Dhairya, Dhatri, Hari, Sanatan, and one cub). This information was posted by PIB Delhi at 7:33PM on November 27, 2025. Release ID: 2195534, Visitor Counter: 139.
Key Entities Referenced
National Zoological Park, New Delhi: Location of animal conservation and welfare initiatives reviewed by the Minister.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The ministry to which the Union Minister of State, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, belongs.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reviewed animal conservation and welfare initiatives.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Union MoS Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh reviews
Animal Conservation and Welfare initiatives at
National Zoological Park, New Delhi
Posted On: 27 NOV 2025 7:33PM by PIB 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.*****
VM/SK
(Release ID: 2195534) Visitor Counter : 139
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