THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lion couples Leo and Nayla of Thiruvananthapuram Zoo had cubs two days ago. Nayla gave birth to a male cub and a female cub. Sadly, the female lion cub died on Wednesday evening. The death of the female lion cub has become a news of sorrow at the zoo.

The cubs were born to Nayla and Leo on October 16. Zoo officials learned that Nayla was not willing to feed the cubs despite constant monitoring. They were shifted to the veterinary hospital within 16 hours, but the female lion cub had respiratory problems and died. The male lion cub is safe. The zoo director informed that goat's milk is given as food to the cub.

The lions were brought to the capital from Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park after completing the three-month quarantine period. Leo and Nayla are fed seven kilos of beef daily. Animal keepers observe the behaviour patterns of both on a daily basis. The pair of emu birds brought from Tirupati along with the lions, were shifted to the visitor cages.