Two more tigers have died at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, bringing the total of animal fatalities in the last three months to five. Amongst the deceased were three tigers, a giraffe, and a zebra. The Bengal tigers Janaki, aged 22, and Kumari, aged 23, passed away from organ failures and old-age problems, respectively. Kumari had been born in 2000 and brought to the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) from a famous circus in 2007. Meanwhile, White Tiger Kumari, who was 19, passed away on May 8th. Giraffe May died of illness at only ten years old on May 17th, having consumed 16kgs of sand during her time at the zoo.
With the loss of five animals in three months, questions are being asked regarding the conditions under which they are kept. Srikantanath Reddy, Vizag Chief Conservator of Forests, stated that the average lifespan of a tiger in the wild is between 12 and 15 years. However, under the care of the ARC staff, tigress Kumari was able to live to be 23 years old, exceeding that average. Giraffes typically live for 20-25 years, suggesting that May’s death was an anomaly and the result of a specific illness.
While the animals in captivity are extremely well-cared for, some are beginning to question whether zoos are an effective way to conserve wildlife. Many believe that the animals’ natural habitats should be preserved and protected. Critics argue that zoos are unnatural environments that are unable to replicate the complex ecosystems of the natural world. Furthermore, animal rights activists suggest that the animals’ rights and well-being are ignored in captivity.
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is not the first zoo to experience animal deaths in captivity, and it is unlikely to be the last. It is important for institutions like zoos to examine the conditions under which they keep animals, ensuring that they are providing the best possible care. In doing so, they acknowledge that the animals they keep are sentient beings deserving of respect and compassion.
