Thrissur: The male tiger Rishiraj, one of the most prominent residents and crowd-pullers of the Thrissur State Museum Zoo, passed away last night (November 22) after months of intensive care.

The tiger was estimated to be around 25 years old, a very advanced age for its species. He had been given special medical attention and supportive care for approximately three months due to several age-related health problems, zoo officials said.

During this period, he became completely immobile and ceased taking food on his own, so caretakers were administering food by placing it directly in his mouth.

Rishiraj was originally captured in 2015 from Kattikulam in Wayanad when he was about 15 years old. His age was later estimated by zoo veterinarians through examination of his dental condition, body weight, and coat colour.

Following his death, a post-mortem examination will be carried out, and tissue and body parts will be handed over to the forest department in accordance with procedures mandated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

After the examination, a master plan for his remains will be prepared, and cremation will take place under the leadership of a specially appointed committee.

Zoo Superintendent Anil Kumar confirmed that although Rishiraj stopped eating last night, the veterinary team and staff continued monitoring him — including via CCTV — until he was found dead. He added that all appropriate norms and protocols would be observed.

Rishiraj had been a fixture at the zoo for a decade and a half and was considered one of the key attractions. His passing marks the end of an era for the institution, and staff are preparing to inform visitors and animal-welfare stakeholders accordingly.

In recent years, other ageing captive big cats in Kerala zoos have passed away from natural or age-related causes — for example, a 23-year-old lion named Indu at the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park died after refusing food for several days, and a 17-year-old Bengal tiger named Manu died at the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo under old-age care.

The zoo management has appealed to visitors to understand that Rishiraj’s demise was due to natural causes associated with advanced age and emphasised their commitment to the welfare of other aging animals in their care.