RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - A wave of mystery has once again shaken Bandung Zoo in West Java following the death of a Bengal tiger cub named Huru, occurring shortly after the passing of its sibling.

The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) has intervened, launching an in-depth investigation to determine the exact cause of death for the 8-month-old endangered animal.

Spokesperson for the West Java BBKSDA, Eri Mildranaya, confirmed the incident and remarked that the agency is currently awaiting comprehensive forensic results.

“It is true [the cub has died],” Eri confirmed in Bandung on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the BBKSDA will conduct a thorough inquiry. “The full details will be released once we have obtained the final results.”

According to Eri, a necropsy, or an animal autopsy, has already been performed by a team of veterinarians. The final report will be disclosed once the laboratory analysis is complete.

This incident follows the death of another Bengal tiger cub, Hara, who reportedly died at Bandung Zoo just two days earlier, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Both Huru and Hara were born on July 12, 2025, as part of the zoo’s breeding program.

The cubs were the offspring of a male tiger named Sahrulkan and a female named Jelita. The West Java BBKSDA has committed to monitoring the remaining animals and conducting a formal evaluation to prevent further casualties.

In response to the tragedy, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan expressed his readiness to evaluate the management of Bandung Zoo.

“The loss of these two tiger cubs is a hard-hitting lesson and a heavy blow for us. We are deeply concerned and saddened. We hope that moving forward, we can implement significant improvements,” said Farhan in Bandung on Thursday.

The Mayor highlighted that these deaths underscore the urgent need for a more robust management system to ensure such incidents do not recur. He reminded stakeholders that as a conservation institution, the zoo’s primary mandate is to safeguard the reproduction and survival of endangered species.

“The loss of these two cubs is a blow, but it is also the momentum we need to clean house,” he remarked.

Farhan added that the evaluation would involve the central government, provincial authorities, and the Forestry Ministry to overhaul the management system entirely.

“We remain committed to animal welfare. However, this incident demonstrates that biosecurity, especially within the zoo’s perimeter, must be significantly upgraded,” he concluded. ***