Tigers' lifespan longer in captivity: Maheshwari

Visakhapatnam: Many believe that tigers have a better lifespan in the natural habitat but Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) proves it otherwise.If one has to go by its records, tigers are surviving in captivity beyond their estimated lifespan. Royal Bengal Tigers, Soni and Rani have survived for 20 to 25 years.

When asked the experts about the reason behind the big cats exceeding their lifespan, the assistant curator of IGZP, Uma Maheshwari, says, "Lifespan of tigers in wild forests is 12 to 13 years. In captivity, they live till 16 years. However, in the zoo, they continue to survive beyond 20 years."

She further adds, "In captivity, they need not struggle for food and the regular medical facilities are also given to the animals. Animal keeper plays a key role because he needs to have proper observational skills and a better understanding of animal behaviour patterns."

On food and medication facility, the assistant curator says, "Depending on the age, we provide them food. We generally give them egg, milk, chicken in the morning and in the evening, we feed them beef.

The quantity of the beef varies from time to time depending on tiger's age. The young ones are usually fed around 8 kgs and the very old big cats are fed chicken instead of beef so they can be easily digested."

In 1980, the first Royal Bengal Tiger Soni stepped into IGZP from Hyderabad zoo. Next year, four Royal Bengal tigers (two male and two female) named Ramu, Ravi, Gauri and Meena were brought from same zoo to IGZP. Presently, they are family members of Royal Bengal tiger breed of IGZP. Currently, the zoo has 10 tigers. Of which, four of them are Royal Bengal tigers and six white tigers, according to zoo curator R Yashoda Bai.

Regarding conservation, there is good news that the count of white tigers has increased significantly. The zoo- keeper, Y Appana, who has been looking after the tigers from past 38 years says, "In 2000, a White tiger named Sirish (male) was brought from Hyderabad Zoo. Two years later, another White Tiger named Kumari was also brought from the same zoo."

He added, "In 2008, they gave birth to three cubs, one male and two females named Giri, Vani and Meena respectively. The two female cubs Vani and Meena were exchanged with Giraffes from a Zoo in Malaysia.

A couple of years down the line, Kumari gave birth to five cubs, of which only four survived." The Zoo has maintained a natural enclosure and habitat management which has proven to be one of the prime reasons for tigers to live longer.