KARACHI: In a recent development, the 20-year-old Bengal tiger of Bahawalpur Zoo has fallen sick, with one eye damaged and visible symptoms of other health issues.
The video footage of the tiger’s condition has gone viral online, raising alarm bells from the World Wildlife Fund.
The Bengal tiger was transferred from Lahore to Bahawalpur Zoo in 2010. The tiger’s health has reportedly deteriorated with one eye damaged and visible symptoms of other health issues.
The tiger’s condition had raised alarm bells among animal rights activists and wildlife specialists, with demands for immediate measures taken to ensure the animal’s welfare gaining momentum.
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WWF Pakistan director Hammad Naqi has also expressed concern over the tiger’s condition, urging the concerned authorities to take immediate steps according to the guidelines set by the World Association of Zoos.
He added that sick and aged animals should be taken out of general view, now that the proper care is being provided. When it comes to the welfare of elderly or sick animals in the zoo, Naqi was adamant that it should take precedence.
However, Assistant Director of Wildlife in Bahawalpur, Syed Ali Usman, tells that the tiger suffers from ailments commonly associated with old age. According to him, wild Bengal tigers normally live for a maximum of 10-15 years, while in captivity a tiger lives on an average of 20 years.
The tiger faces difficulty walking due to its age, with its hind legs being weak and its lower body sagging. Usman also assured that proper care is being given to the tiger, including regular deworming and check-ups and feed constituted of minced meat and vitamins.
