White tiger at Nehru Zoo dies while undergoing treatment

A male white tiger 'Badri' housed at Nehru Zoological Park, breathed his last on Friday while undergoing treatment. The 14-year-old tiger was suffering from multiple tumors.

Badri was born in Tirupati Zoo on April 1,2006. However, since last one month, he was undergoing treatment for inflammation on the right side of the sub-mandibular region below the ear and for swelling of the cheek below the ear on account of suspected tumor.

Badri maintained a good appetite during his treatment. However, his appetite decreased within few days of treatment due to increased swelling around the cheek which shifted to the neck region. Since then, he would eat only small pieces of chicken and beef.

The tiger was tranquilized on August 13 and was being provided treatment. He was taken into the squeeze cage for proper treatment and was being given medication on Friday as swelling moved towards the ear and neck. Despite continuous treatment Badri breathed its last at 11:30 am on Friday during the treatment.

The post mortem was conducted on Friday by veterinary experts team from Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. All the samples collected have been sent to Veterinary Biological Institute, Shantinagar, Hyderabad and the College of Veterinary Science and LaCONES, CCMB, Attapur in Hyderabad for detailed investigation.

The post mortem revealed multiple tumors as the possible cause of death and a tumor of approximately 5 kgs was found on the neck.