Oldest hybrid lion dies in Tata zoo

Jamshedpur, Sept. 24: It will be an empty cell at the Tata Steel
Zoological Park (TSZP) from tomorrow. Sher Khan - an Afro-Indian
breed - said to be the oldest hybrid lion in the country and a
favourite among the children of the steel city, died in its cell
early this morning.

Over 22 years of age, the lion had not been keeping well for some
years and had become too weak to move.

According to MS Jain, director of TSZP, the hybrid lion was probably
the oldest in the country. "The normal life expectancy of a lion is
taken as 17 years. The one with us was over 22 years old," he said.

"A post-mortem finding reveals Sher Khan could have died due to
liver malfunction and retention of urine, leading to uremia," the
senior zoo functionary added.

Sher Khan died around 5.30 am and was buried inside the zoo compound.

According to Jain, the lion had started showing signs of age two
years ago when it lost its canines and was occasionally going
without food. The animal had overgrown nails, lost appetite and
movement.

"It was under intensive care from September 1. Food intake had
reduced drastically, which caused weakness, dehydration and
progressive bed sores," he said.

Sher Khan was brought here from the Nandan Kanan Zoological Park,
Bhubaneswar in February 1994.

"The CZA does not circulate age data of hybrid lions as they do not
find place on its conservation list. Since hybrid lions don't adapt
in Indian conditions, the CZA does not include them in its
conservation list. Indian environment is conducive for pure Asiatic
lions," he said.

URL- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060925/asp/ranchi/story_6789664.asp

From- <nilesh@pawsasia.org>