Tiger that killed its caretaker two years ago at Pilikula dies of heart attack

Mangaluru, May 23: A male adult tiger, which had killed one of its caretakers at Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Pilikula Nisarga Dhama on the outskirts of the city two-and-half years ago, died of heart attack in the early hours on Friday. He was 21.

With this the number of tigers at the park has been reduced to seven — six males and a female.

Known as Tiger Raja, the 280-kg heavy big cat was centre of attraction at the Biological Park since 2003 when he was brought here from the Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga district.

According to the director of the park H Jayaprakash Bhandary, Tiger Raja died of “heart attack’ due to aging at about 5 a.m. on Friday.

“Its viscera has been sent to Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, Bengaluru, for examination,” he said.

The beast had killed its caretaker Kushalappa Gowda on August 1, 2012, when Mr. Gowda reportedly entered its enclosure around 8.30 p.m. as it was not well. The animal probably panicked on the sudden appearance of the caretaker as it was not the time to enter the enclosure. It pounced on him and slashed him in the back and stomach. A bleeding Mr. Gowda lay there till a fellow caretaker and security guard entered the enclosure at 9.30 p.m. He died on the way to hospital.

Mr. Bhandary said that tigers in captivity usually lived up to 18 years. With good health facility and care in captivity they lived for some more years. In natural forest, they usually lived up to 12 years.

He said that Raja ate 10 kg meat and two kg chicken six days a week. When it was brought to the park in 2003 it weighed 280 kg.

“We have video graphed the entire process and cremated the carcass as per norms of the Central Zoo Authority to prevent trophy hunters from stealing away the parts,” he said.

"We have video graphed the entire process and cremated the carcass as per norms of the Central Zoo Authority to prevent trophy hunters from stealing away the parts," the director said.

However, on the brighter side, Raja's loss could soon be made up for Nethravathi is on the 'family way', Bhandary said, noting that she could deliver within the next few months.

Also Read: Ailing tiger kills caretaker in Pilikula biological park