15-year-old white tiger dies at Delhi zoo

NEW DELHI: A 15-year-old white tiger has died at the Delhi zoo due to old age-related issues, officials said on Thursday. Tiger Vijay, who was born at the zoo, died on Wednesday. He did not have any health problems, an official said.
The zoo has two pairs of white tigers and four Bengal tigers-one male and three females-left. Normally, a white tiger has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years in the wild.
In March, it was reported that the zoo had lost seven lions and tigers in two-and-a-half years. At least four of them died due to kidney dysfunction.
Among other recent deaths, six-year-old white tigress Nirbhaya suffered 'acute cardiac failure' on December 14, 2020, leading to its death soon after giving birth to two cubs. While one of the cubs died during the C-section process, the other died 19 days later. Delhi zoo also lost Bittu - a 15-year-old royal Bengal tiger - on November 19 2020, due to chronic kidney disorder and age-related issues. Lioness Akhila (11), who suffered 'acute kidney failure' on October 7, 2020; and a 13-year-old white tigress Kalpana, who died due to 'renal failure' were other prominent casualties.
The zoo's 2020-21 annual report had stated: "Big cats in captivity are very much prone to kidney ailments. Furthermore, lack of enrichment tools and exercise, obesity, and stereotypic behaviour have been observed in big cats in captivity. To address this, special emphasis has been given in providing diverse food (adding chevon) and putting enrichment tools in big cats in particular."