Delhi zoo lost at least 7 big cats in 2.5 years, records show

The Delhi zoo, known as the National Zoological Park, has Asiatic lions, white tigers and the royal Bengal tiger as part of the national conservation breeding programmes. Reports show four of the seven deaths occurred due to kidney dysfunction.

Data obtained from Delhi zoo authorities showed that at least seven ‘big cats’ died in the last two-and-a-half years. The zoo administration plans to probe each of these fatalities.

Director of the zoo Dharam Deo Rai, who took charge on February 21, said the deaths occurred before his tenure and that he will need time to assess the cases. (File photo)

The Delhi zoo, known as the National Zoological Park, has Asiatic lions, white tigers and the royal Bengal tiger as part of the national conservation breeding programmes. Reports show four of the seven deaths occurred due to kidney dysfunction.

“Big cats in captivity are very much prone to kidney ailments. Furthermore, lack of enrichment tools and exercise, obesity, and stereotypic behaviour have been observed in big cats in captivity. To address this, special emphasis has been given in providing diverse food (adding chevon) and putting enrichment tools in big cats in particular,” says the zoo’s 2020-21 annual report stating a routine investigation of the blood parameters helps in checking their health.

Director of the zoo Dharam Deo Rai, who took charge on February 21, said the deaths occurred before his tenure and that he will need time to assess the cases.

“It has been only a few days since I took charge, and it will take some time to look into these cases. However, the causes of the death and all reports related to it were presented to previous directors too but nothing strange emerged. We will still look into the health of all our current animals,” he said.

Records show the latest death was that of an eight-year-old lioness, Hema, which reportedly suffered ‘multiple organ failure’ and died on January 10.

Hema arrived at the Delhi zoo from Chhatbir Zoo in Chandigarh, along with a lion , which was called Aman. Aman died on May 9 last year due to cardiac arrest.

Six-year-old white tigress Nirbhaya suffered ‘acute cardiac failure’ on December 14, 2020, leading to its death soon after giving birth to two cubs. While one of the cubs died during the C-section process, the other died 19 days later.

As per records, Delhi zoo also lost Bittu – a 15-year-old royal Bengal tiger on November 19 , 2020, owing to chronic kidney disorder and age-related issues. Bengal tigers are generally known to live for 8-10 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity.

The other deaths are that of 11-year-old lioness Akhila, who suffered ‘acute kidney failure’ on October 7, 2020; a 13-year-old white tigress Kalpana, who died due to ‘renal failure’. Kidney failure was also the cause of death for an eight-year old Bengal Tiger Rama, who died in September, 2019, show records.