KARACH: The Karachi zoo lost another Bengal tiger on Friday, the third death of a big cat from the same species within five years, sources told Dawn.

The zoo is now left with a single female Bengal tiger.

According to sources, the big cat had been ill for months and the zoo staff apparently failed to recognise the initial signs of its failing kidneys.

“The Bengal tiger died of sudden kidney failure and this alone is the cause of death. It was perfectly fine till Sunday and had no recent history of illness,” said zoo director Fahim Khan, rejecting information about the animal’s prolonged illness.

According to him, the animal was found to be very dull and weak on Monday, which prompted the zoo staff to seek the help of veterinary consultants.

“Dr Isma Gheewala was not available on Tuesday but she came to the zoo the following day. She thoroughly examined the animal and sent its blood samples immediately to a laboratory for analysis,” he said.

The blood report confirmed on Thursday that the big cat had kidney failure. “She told us that the animal’s condition was critical and it could die anytime,” he said. The zoo staff claimed that the animal was old, about 16 years of age, and had well crossed its average life span, which is 10 to 14 years. It was brought from Lahore in an animal exchange in 2004.

About the results of the post-mortem examination report, assistant director of the zoo Dr Aamir Ismail said: “It verifies the findings of the blood report. The animal had no other problem and died of a sudden kidney failure.”

When asked about the reasons of ‘sudden kidney failure’, he said: “What can I say about it? You should ask Dr Gheewala and Dr Kazim Hussain this question; they are my mentors.”

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation administrator Liaq Ahmed also visited the zoo the same day and inquired about the tiger’s death.

“We will look into its death in detail once the post-mortem examination report is available. It seems that the tiger has died of no other cause than kidney failure,” he told to Dawn.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2016