14-MTH-OLD PANTHER SHIVA DIES AT NAHARGARH PARK

Jaipur: Panther Shiva, separated from his mother barely seven days after his birth in the forest of Raisar about 14 months ago, died on Sunday. Shiva lacked panther-like aggression as it was brought up amid humans. Shiva was in the rescue centre enclosure and looked fine but the caretaker found Shiva dead inside his cage on Sunday morning. Senior veterinarian Dr Arvind Mathur said that Shiva possibly died after being bitten by a poisonous reptile or insect. However, the real cause of death will be revealed only after the postmortem.

On July 10, the white tiger, Chinu, died. Later, on July 15, a panther died. Within 29 days, three big cats died in Nahargarh Biological Park. Shiva was brought to Nahargarh Biological Park last year. In the last 34 months, 12 big cats, including panther Shiva, have died in Nahargarh Biological Park. Untrained wildlife caretakers, administrative negligence and lack of monitoring are causing frequent deaths. Despite contracting leptospirosis, special treatment was not given. In 2019, when three big cats died within nine days, there was a stir in Nahargarh Biological Park but the high officials covered the negligence of their subordinates.