Bhubaneswar: Sara who had been a cherished wild tigress and an integral part of Nandankanan family died at the age of 18 years Thursday, said reports. The beloved tigress breathed her last at 4:42am Thursday on the Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) premises. She was 18 years and one month old, according to zoo sources. Sara’s journey began when she was rescued from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh October 18, 2006, when she was just five months old, and was reared at Van Vihar Zoological Park in Bhopal.
She joined NZP April 18, 2009, under an animal exchange programme. “Sara became a vital participant in our conservation breeding programme. She infused new life into the tiger population by giving birth to Asha, Ankita and Subhashree January 13, 2012, sired by tiger Rishi. Asha was later transferred to Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, under another animal exchange programme,” said an NZP official.
On February 29, 2024, Sara was observed to be dull, unable to stand, and had laboured breathing. After treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy, she was able to stand up and accept meat March 3, 2024. She was confined to the feeding and small paddock area, the official added. She developed decubitus ulcers on both hip joints March 21, 2024, and was being treated, the official said.
Despite accepting food, she gradually became emaciated, he added. June 26, 2024, Sara was seen in lateral recumbency with feeble respiration. Despite all efforts, she breathed her last at 4:42am Thursday