The Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata is under intense scrutiny following the death of a young Royal Bengal tigress on Wednesday. This tragic incident marks the third tiger fatality at the facility within a span of just three months, raising serious questions about the standard of medical care provided to the animals.
A Young Life Cut Short by Parasitic Infection
The deceased tigress was two years and ten months old, an age considered to be part of the prime growth phase for tigers. According to officials, she was born at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha in 2023 and was brought to Kolkata in August last year for breeding purposes.
The tigress had been suffering from a haemoprotozoan parasite infection, transmitted by ticks or biting flies. This type of infection can lead to fever, anaemia, and jaundice. She was admitted to the Alipore Veterinary Hospital for treatment but succumbed to the illness. Sandip Sundriyal, the chief wildlife warden, stated that the tigress was undergoing treatment for a bacterial infection and a preliminary post-mortem indicated the parasitic infection as the cause of death. The exact cause is to be confirmed following a viscera test.
A Pattern of Deaths and Expert Alarm
This latest death follows the demise of two other tigresses within a 24-hour period in September. One was a 21-year-old white tigress named Roopa, born at Alipore Zoo, and the other was Payal, a 17-year-old tigress brought from Nandankanan in 2016. Both were reported to have died from age-related ailments.
However, the death of a young animal has particularly troubled wildlife experts. They argue that haemoprotozoan infections are typically treatable if detected and managed promptly. Animal health expert Utpal Das explained that routine blood tests and immediate treatment can lead to a complete recovery. Experts are questioning why a dedicated medical board was not formed to monitor the young tigress's condition if she was known to be unwell for some time.
"If the tigress was suffering from the infection for some time, why was no medical board formed to keep tabs on its health condition?" an expert questioned, highlighting a potential lapse in proactive care.
Investigation Ordered Amid Ongoing Zoo Troubles
In response to the growing concern, Bengal forest officials have ordered a detailed investigation into the death. While Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda was unavailable for comment, the directive signals official acknowledgment of the serious nature of these repeated incidents.
This is not the first time Alipore Zoo has faced controversy. Earlier this year, discrepancies were reported in animal sourcing, transfer, and record-keeping, with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) disputing some records. Furthermore, a separate court case is ongoing regarding the mysterious disappearance of more than 300 animals from the zoo's records.
The consecutive tiger deaths have cast a long shadow over the zoo's management and veterinary capabilities, prompting calls for a thorough overhaul of its animal healthcare protocols to prevent further tragedies.
