Rescued lion dies at BBP

Bannerghatta Biological Park lacks facility to detect diseases

Sundar, the dead lion, was rescued from Komal Circus in Haryana and brought to the BBP in 2001. The post mortem report revealed the cause of death as pulmonary oedema coupled with complete paralysis, cardiomegaly (heart enlargement) and multiple cysts in the liver tissue. Three samples from the body have been sent to Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal.

The BBP Executive Director Milo Tago said the lion was debilitated with paralysis and was surviving on fluids and supportive therapy for the past one month. “Since he had no teeth, he was fed with minced meat for a long time.”

One more critical

More rescued animals are critical including a 17-year-old lion, Ajit. The animal is suffering from paralysis of hind limbs for the last 15 days. It cannot stand on its own legs and has a minimal and irregular food, water intake.

While survival chances of rescued animals are minimal since most of them have lived beyond their biological age, the BBP is devoid of any facility to scan them for disease detection. Recently, a 22-year-old lioness Heera succumbed to cancer and the malignant condition was detected only during post mortem.

“We do not have movable scanners at the BBP which require special infrastructure. We need to take extra care while sedating the animal before the scan and any treatment for animals after 15 years of age is not worth it” said Dr Chittiappa, a veterinary doctor at the BBP.

However, Dr Renuka Prasad, director of IAH&VB said there was always scope to create such facilities.  “At present, we have scanning facility only for dogs and cattle.  We will need mobile scanning equipment and the thickness of the animal skin also matters. We have recommended for such facilities to the government,” he said. The priority is now to increase the number of veterinary doctors from six to 12, he added.

Meanwhile, three wild elephants from Bannerghatta Forest range strayed into human habitat on Sunday. The jumbos have destroyed cow beans and ragi crops.