The Hindu : Asiatic lion dies in zoo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 02, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Asiatic lion dies in zoo

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, APRIL1. Twenty-seven days after the seven and a half year old Asiatic lion was found paralysed in his enclosure at the National Zoological Park here, the animal reportedly died Wednesday night.

The lion was found dead the next morning and after the post-mortem, the cause of death has been attributed to the disorder of the nerves leading to the failure of vital organs. According to the zoo director B.S. Bonal, "the animal was brought to the hospital following a paralytic attack on March 2, which affected its hind area. But despite our best effort, the animal failed to recover. We also called in veterinarians from across the country including persons from the Wildlife Institute of India, IVRI Bareily and Hissar Veterinary Collage. The doctors suggested a treatment plan which we followed but the lion did not show any signs of recovery and was found dead this morning."

According to the zoo veterinarian, the lion brought here from the Gujarat zoo, was found to have cysts in the lung and liver, samples of which were removed after the death. "Also the blood sample showed high level of esonophil, which indicated complication in blood circulation and lowered immunity. Also, blood clots were found in the brain," explained zoo veterinarian Paneer Selvam. The zoo is now left with two male African lions and three female lionesses.

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