Lucknow Zoo star tiger ‘Kishan’ dies of cancer

Kishan, a male tiger, died of cancer at the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Park in Lucknow on December 30. The big cat was one of the major attractions of the zoo.

Kishan was brought to the zoo more than 13 years ago after being rescued from Kishanpur Tiger Reserve on March 1, 2009. The big cat became a threat to the human population around Dudhwa National Park.

Efforts to capture Kishan started in 2008 and after several months of tireless efforts, the tiger was captured.

The veterinary doctors at the zoo found that Kishan had Hemangiosarcoma, which had spread to near his ear and mouth, due to which he lost his power to hunt wild animals and turned into a man-eater. 

The tiger stopped taking food and restricted his normal movements in his last days, said that zoo authorities. Director of Zoological Park, V. K Mishra, said the staff paid an emotional tribute to Kishan.

Now their focus has shifted to a tigress at the zoo. Kajri is old and delicate, and although she is consuming food normally but her health is being monitored. Arrangements for heaters have been made to protect her from the cold.