4 months after partner’s death, tigress severely ill
LUCKNOW: Four months after the death of her partner, 17-year-old tigress Ipshita has taken ill and is admitted to the Lucknow Zoo hospital.
The big cat was brought here from the Nandankanan Zoo in Odisha on October 15, 2007 along with her partner Shishir. They lived together until the tiger died on August 18 this year.
For the past few days, the tigress had been eating less and even walked less as compared to her diet and physical activity a month ago, said RK Singh, zoo director.
“Ipshita was staying in one enclosure here but due to her health condition we have shifted her to the hospital. She is under observation and medication,” said Singh.
The tigress had been a major attraction among visitors, especially kids. But the news about her absence has made several visitors unhappy. “My son is a regular visitor to the zoo and spends time outside the enclosure as he loves watching tiger. He knew Ipshita and called her by her name,” said Rakesh Sharma, a resident of Gomti Nagar.
Zoo authorities said the tigress was under close observation and if her health improves, she will be brought back to the enclosure. Till then, visitors will not be able to see her. “I wish the animal stays well,” said Sharma.
The zoo director said the life span of these animals in captivity is around 14 years and sometimes they live two or three years longer.
“Age is the factor, we think, that has made her sick. Loss of partner might not have had much impact on her,” said Singh.