Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bajirao, the last captive white tiger at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali, died at the age of 18 following age-related complications.
"Bajirao had been suffering from chronic ankylosis on the left shoulder and chronic senile generalised arthritis for the last four years. He had been unable to walk for the last ten days and succumbed to his ailment at 5.30 am on Friday due to his advanced age," said park officials.
Bajirao was born at the SGNP in 2001 to tigers Renuka and Sidharth. He was the last surviving white tiger in the park, said an official statement by the park.
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An expert advisory committee of the SGNP, comprising senior veterinarians, including those from the Bombay Veterinary College (BVC) and retired ones from the SGNP, had earlier examined Bajirao and suggested the line of treatment considering his advanced age.
Bajirao's post-mortem was conducted by the pathology department of the BVC, which indicated multiple organ failures along with old age as the probable cause of death.
Bajirao’s carcass was burnt after the autopsy as per National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines. There are six remaining Royal Bengal tigers at the park– four female and two male, all above 10 years of age.
