2 tigers die, elephant electrocuted

The 20-year-old tigress, Vijaya, was one of the oldest members of the zoo. She had stopped eating for the last one and a half months.

However, the zoo staff were feeding her with chicken soup everyday. Vijaya was shifted to the zoo hospital last week, where she died at 2 am on Wednesday.

Zoo Deputy Director Belliappa said Vijaya was born on April 8, 1990, and was brought from Nandankanan Zoo in  Bhubaneshwar on October 14, 1993. The tigress had delivered five cubs –– three on February 20, 1996 and two cubs on May 9, 1997.

Tigers in captivity usually live for a maximum of 15 years. Vijaya, however, had lived for nearly two decades and was one of the star attractions in the zoo. But during her last days, her weight had reduced to 30 kg due to the non-intake of food. Her autopsy was conducted at the zoo hospital.

Found dead

A 12-month-old tiger was found dead in Maddur range of Bandipur National Park on Tuesday.

The carcass was found just 1.5 km away from the office of Maddur Range Forest Officer. The sex of the big cat is not known. It is suspected that the tiger might have died a week ago as the body was highly decomposed.

Project Tiger Director B G Hosmath, Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Hanumanthappa, Range Forest Officer Marilingegowda visited the spot.

Elephant dies

A pregnant elephant was found dead in Bandipur range on Tuesday. It is suspected that she might have been electrocuted.