BBP loses two big cats to illnesses

Bangalore: November 29, 2013 DHNS

 Lakshmi, a 21-year-old lioness, died at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) on Thursday after suffering from an age-related illness.

According to sources, the condition of the lioness worsened following a  hysterectomy (removal of uterus) three days ago. The animal stopped eating and succumbed to its illness. The animal’s visceral samples were sent to the Institute of Animal Health Veterinary Biologicals for clinical examination. 

Lakshmi had been rescued from the New Grand Circus Pandharpur in Maharashtra in July 2003. The park houses over 38 lions and one tiger at the rescue centre.

Tiger death

The park also lost Masthi, an 18-year-old tiger which had escaped from poachers in 2002 after becoming ensnared in a jaw trap. Medical personnel at the park had partially amputated the zoo’s forelimb, to free it from the trap. According to Range Gowda, the executive director of the BBP, Masthi’s immune system had become weak and it had developed complications because of the amputated leg. “The animal was under treatment for the past six month and succumbed to its injuries recently,” he added. 

The BBP houses over 41 tigers, 37 lions and 19 panthers at the safari.

In addition to the carnivores, the park has lost over 28 herbivores to foot and mouth disease. According to sources here, the disease broke out in the park this September. “Although its spread has been controlled to a large extent, there are many animals which have difficulty walking,” Gowda said and added that many spotted deer and blackbucks have been found in this condition.”  The 28 herbivores include two gaurs, eight nilgais, with the rest being spotted deer and blackbucks.

The park is currently home to a four-month-old leopard cub which was recently rescued in Magadi in the Ramanagara division and an old panther which was rescued from Gadag. Range Gowda said that both animals will be released into the forest shortly.

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