The cubs' illness was first noticed Saturday when they were found to be discharging slightly green and runny stools. First local veterinarians and then doctors from the Mhow Veterinary College were called in to treat them.

'Tests have shown that the cubs were suffering from bacterial gastro-enteritis. We've administered saline drips and white blood cell (WBC) counts have increased after the treatment for the past four days,' said Dr Hemant Mehta of Mhow Veterinary College who has been attending the animals along with other veterinarians.

'While the condition of two of them is improving fast, it is difficult to make a prediction for the third one right now,' he said.