Female tiger at Kerala zoo succumbs to acute broncho-pneumonia

Thiruvananthapuram: A female tiger housed at the Thiruvananthapuram zoo died on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment for pneumonia. The animal, around 11 years old, had been brought from the Amarakkuni area under the South Wayanad Forest Division following menace issues in a human habitation zone.

Brought for rehabilitation after capture

The tiger was shifted to the zoo in January 2025 for rehabilitation. Though its injuries were treated, it had lost its canine teeth. Owing to this condition, it was not released back into the wild and was being cared for at the zoo.

The animal had been under treatment for the past two weeks after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Officials said it had a pre-existing liver disease and was not responding to antibiotics.

Death and post-mortem procedures

As its condition worsened, the tiger died at around 6 am on Saturday. Post-mortem procedures were conducted in line with guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

The examination was led by Dr Harish C from the State Institute for Animal Diseases, Palode, along with zoo veterinary surgeon Dr Nikesh Kiran.

The veterinary surgeon said the cause of death was acute broncho-pneumonia. The body was cremated at around 4 pm.

Officials attend final rites

Zoo director Manjula Devi paid last respects. Zoo superintendent Rajesh V.S, curator Sangeetha, biologist Swetha Mukundan, livestock inspectors Jijo and Nahas, assistant Rajesh, and supervisors Rajesh, Vasudevan and Ramachandran were among those present.

The zoo now houses a white tiger named Shravan and two Bengal tigers. The average lifespan of a tiger is about 10 to 15 years.