Bhubaneswar, January 27: An 8-year-old lioness named Rewa died at the Nandankanan Zoological Park here on Monday.
On January 25, Rewa delivered three cubs after a 103-day gestation. The first cub was stillborn, while two more cubs were born following veterinary intervention. On January 26 evening, Rewa experienced complications during delivery of a deceased cub. Despite round-the-clock monitoring, supplements, and care, Rewa died on Monday after delivering the said stillborn cub.
Lioness Rewa has contributed to lion population of Nandankanan by giving birth to at least eight cubs in three litters of which six are surviving now.
Her loss has left Nandankanan Zoo with 23 lions, including 15 Asiatic lions (10:5) and eight hybrid lions (4:4).
Rewa was brought from the Kamala Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya, Indore in Madhya Pradesh on December 20, 2020. She was mated with lion Jeet in October 2024 and was closely monitored during her pregnancy.
