Zoo authorities on Sunday said the cubs and their mother are healthy and a round-the-clock watch is being kept on their conditions. The authorities also said the veterinary staffers have been issued specific directives to ensure proper treatment and supplement to Renu as well as the newborns.

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) brought Renu and her male counterpart Raja from Hemalkasa in Gadchiroli on February 17. Unaware of her gestation period, the authorities failed to take necessary precautions and brought her in a truck by covering a distance of over 800km.

But Renu stopped having food after the pair reached the city. Zoo authorities initially thought it be natural as animals refrain to behave normally after change in their habitat. But when the situation did not change for days together, the zoo administration treated her assuming that the animal might be suffering from gastro.

As a result, Renu delivered premature cubs, who died in a couple of days. The incident drew ire of activists, people's representatives and the civic administration. The drama ended with the suspension of zoo director BS Naikwade.

After his suspension, the zoo authorities hired a retired wildlife expert for taking care of the leopard pair and other big cats. A zoo official said, "Last time, the zoo had to face a lot of criticism from all corners. Hence, things were kept under wraps till Renu delivered the cubs."