Thiruvananthapuram: An 11-year-old female tiger rescued from the Amarikkuni region died at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo on Saturday after battling pneumonia, officials confirmed. The tiger had been undergoing treatment for the past two weeks following a diagnosis of pneumonia. However, its condition deteriorated due to a pre-existing liver disease, which limited the effectiveness of antibiotics. The animal passed away at approximately 6 am on Saturday.
Rescue and Rehabilitation History
The tigress was captured from the Amarikkuni forest area under the South Wayanad forest division and brought to the zoo in January 2025 for rehabilitation. Although its earlier injuries had healed, the animal had lost its canine teeth, rendering it unfit for release back into the wild. Consequently, it was being cared for in captivity under the supervision of zoo authorities.
Health Complications and Medical Intervention
Zoo authorities closely monitored the tiger's health, but its condition worsened over the past few days, becoming critical. The combination of pneumonia and underlying liver complications ultimately led to its death despite medical intervention. Officials noted that the pre-existing liver disease significantly hampered the response to antibiotic treatment, making recovery impossible.
The cremation was conducted at the zoo premises at 4 pm on the same day. Forest and zoo officials are expected to perform further examinations and documentation as part of standard postmortem and reporting procedures. The incident highlights the challenges faced in treating wild animals with complex health issues in captivity.
