Two white Royal Bengal Tiger cubs are struggling for their lives at Patna zoo, since they went into coma five days ago.

Veterinarians at the zoo said they could not say anything about the survival possibility of the cubs suffering from multiple-organ failure.

“The two cubs are in coma for five days. Their condition is critical. Though all possible steps are being taken, we cannot say anything about their survival as of now,” said Dr Ajit Kumar at Patna zoo.

Zoo authorities claimed that necessary steps had been taken to ensure the survival of the cubs.

“We are in constant touch with exeprts of Central Zoo Authority, and Hyderabad and Junagadh zoos. A veterinary doctor from Wildlife Trust of India is also supervising the treatment of the cubs. It is very disheartening that the results of months of our efforts are at stake,” said Dr Kumar.

The male sibling of the ailing cubs died on August 28. Sources said the three cubs were separated from their mother, Swarna, on August 20 after she stopped feeding them, as she was suffering from an intestinal infection.

Swarna was brought from Hyderabad zoo in August last year in an animal exchange programme. She gave birth to the three cubs on August 2 this year. The cubs started having convulsion attacks soon after they were separated from their mother.

According to initial findings of the post-mortem report on the deceased cub, the cause of convulsion was attributed to deficiency of minerals like potassium, calcium and iron in its body.

Sources claimed that the death of a cub and critical condition of the other two was a result of improper feeding. “The cubs were not fed properly. As a result, they did not take appropriate quantity of food. This lead to a mineral deficiency,” said a source.

He added: “The intestine infection of the tigress could also have been prevented if the cubs had been delivered in the presence of experts, who would have ensured hygiene.”

The source said: “The incidents, however, do not mean that the zoo authorities have been callous. The mortality rate among tiger cubs is very high. Around 50 per cent cubs born in the wild do not survive. Birth of tiger cubs in captivity is an achievement.”