Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), June 27: Eighteen-year-old tigress Sara passed away early Thursday morning in her enclosure at Nandankanan Zoological Park, located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, after battling age-related health issues.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sara, a cherished wild tigress and an integral part of the Nandankanan family,” the zoo authorities stated.
Sara was rescued from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh as a five-month-old cub and was initially reared at Van Vihar Zoological Park in Bhopal. She was brought to Nandankanan on April 18, 2006, under an animal exchange program. “Sara became a vital participant in our conservation breeding program, infusing new bloodlines by giving birth to Asha, Ankita, and Subhashree on January 13, 2012, sired by the tiger Rishi. Asha was later transferred to Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, under another animal exchange program,” the statement said.
On February 29, Sara appeared dull, unable to stand, and had labored breathing. Despite showing some improvement after receiving antibiotics and supportive therapy, she developed decubitus ulcers on both hip joints on March 21. “Though she accepted food, she gradually became emaciated. On June 26, Sara was found in lateral recumbency with feeble respiration. Despite all our efforts, she breathed her last on June 27 at 4:42 am,” the statement added.
With Sara’s demise, Nandankanan’s tiger count now stands at 26.
