Three white tiger cubs in the Vandalur Zoo here have been adopted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) under the 'Adopt an animal' programme of the Forest Department.

State Tourism Secretary Irai Anbu handed over a cheque for Rs 3.78 lakh towards adoption charges to the additional Forest Department Secretary Debendranath Sarangi, an official release here today said.

The adoption programme was started in September 2008 with the aim of creating awareness and sensitising people on animal care and affection.

At present, TTDC is running an airconditioned hotel inside the zoo premises. A week's collection from the restaurant would be spent for maintaining the adopted cubs, it said.

Zoo officials said the six-year-old white tigress Anu had given birth to three cubs on June 6 this year. With their addition, the number of white tigers in the zoo has risen to seven and the total number of tigers to 15.