Three Big Cats Die at Tirupati SV Zoo in a Month

Three big cats have died at the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park in Tirupati within a span of one month, raising concerns about the health and welfare of animals at the zoo. A male jaguar named Lava died on July 28 at the age of 16 after battling cancer since 2017. Zoo officials said the animal had reached the advanced stage of the disease and eventually died due to multi-organ failure despite receiving treatment.

A male leopard named Satya, aged around 17, died on August 15. The post-mortem examination reportedly identified asphyxia and severe anaemia. On August 28, a female leopard named Vimuda, approximately 16 years old, also died. Vimuda had been rescued from Gandikota and had been under the care of the Tirupati zoo since 2014. Her post-mortem examination reportedly found fluid accumulation in the lungs and severe gastritis. Zoo officials said the post-mortem reports of all three animals have been forwarded to higher authorities. The zoo curator stated that 1,153 animals and birds are currently being cared for at the facility and that regular health checks are conducted under the supervision of veterinary doctors and biologists. Officials maintained that the deaths of the two elderly leopards were natural and denied allegations of staff negligence. They also said an internal inquiry is underway into complaints regarding medicine supplies, while the required medicines, including Butox, have been stocked. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry, the curator said.