Two lionesses die in Delhi zoo

In a major loss of animal life for the Delhi zoo, two lionesses — one mature adult and another young — died in two successive days.

In a major loss of animal life for the Delhi zoo, two lionesses — one mature adult and another young — died in two successive days.

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The 18-and-a-half-year-old lioness, suffering for the last one-and-a-half years, died late on Saturday while another seven-year-old female died on Sunday, zoo director Amitabh Agnihotri said.

After the death of two lionesses, the Delhi zoo is now left with two females and three male of the species.

The mature adult lioness was suffering from multiple infections, mostly age related, and was on and off recovering and falling ill. "She had completed her natural life span," he said.

The younger one was undergoing treatment at the zoo hospital for quite some time and was under medication for lung infection.

"The post mortem was conducted and the samples were sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly," Agnihotri said.

IVRI is the modal agency for all veterinary issues for all zoos across the country.

The tragic deaths coming one after the other has prompted the zoo administration to invite IVRI specialists soon to Delhi.

“We had decided in the recent health committee meeting to bring in IVRI specialists and go in for a thorough check up of all animals," Agnihotri said.