A post-mortem on the 11-week-old cubs, born in November last year, by the pathology department of the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences in Lahore revealed that the lungs of the white tigers were severely affected by the disease while ‘tracheal congestion and haemorrhages’ were also found.
The report also mentioned a ‘tentative diagnosis’ that stated a severe multi-systematic infection (suspected for COVID-19 infection).
The mother of the white tigers had given birth to three cubs but one of them died during birth, according to the zoo.
Lahore Zoo Director Chaudhry Shafqat told local media that the cubs were healthy when they were born before getting sick last month.“Post-mortem has determined that there might be multiple infections while there is also a possibility of COVID-19 virus.”
The zoo director said that six employees also tested positive for the coronavirus so there could be a possibility that the virus could have been transferred from staff.
Zufishan Anushay, founder of JFK (Justice for Kiki) Animal Rescue And Shelter told SBS Urdu that the conditions are not suitable for exotic animals or wildlife animals to be kept in zoos in Pakistan.
“How can you keep tigers on a cement floor? It is very sad to see two white baby tigers die in such a way," he said.
Mr Anushay said that the conditions are not suitable to keep such animals in zoos while staff do not have the capacity or training to handle these animals.
The animal rights activist said that it is better that such zoos close down and claims that there are no advance facilities to “keep the animals healthy nor any medical equipment to help them if they get sick.”
There are estimated to be only around 200 white tigers - a variant of the Bengal tigers - in the world. All are believed to be in captivity
International pop star Cher recently campaigned for an elephant named Kaavan for several months due to poor facilities in Pakistan. ‘The world’s loneliest elephant’ was shifted to his new home in Cambodia in November last year.
SBS Urdu program broadcasts every Wednesday and Sunday at 6 PM (AEST)
