Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) today mourned the death of Nandan, a beloved wild tiger and an integral part of the Nandankanan Family.
Lameness in hind limbs was first seen on the tiger in December 2023 and since then he was continuously under treatment. He was examined by the experts in January and February 2024, zoo officials said.
He was immobilised, x-ray images of limbs and spine were taken, USG of the whole abdomen was carried out and whole blood and serum samples were analysed. The treatment advised by Centre of Wildlife Health, OUAT, Bhubaneswar was continued. Many tiger health experts were also consulted by the Zoo Vets, the officials informed.
However, his condition deteriorated progressively and eventually he was moving by dragging his hind limbs. Therefore, in February 2024, he was shifted to tiger safari feeding cell under general anaesthesia to restrict movement.
He developed decubital ulcers at both hip joints and was immobilised for treatment twice in the last two months and was completely confined to the feeding cell since March 21, 2024. He left feed and water on 29-04-2024 and remained in lateral recumbency. From 30-04-2024 he was under fluid therapy.
Despite the best efforts of our dedicated veterinary and support team and the expertise of renowned wildlife health professionals, Nandan’s condition continued to decline and finally he succumbed to his illness on 11-05-2024 at a ripe old age of about eighteen years.
“As we mourn the loss of Nandan, we also reflect on his vital contribution to the ex-situ conservation of tigers in India. His legacy lives on through his offspring, some of whom have been given in exchange programmes to other zoos too, thus ensuring the continuation of his bloodline across the country. We at Nandankanan will always miss his regal and magnificent presence, every bit the epitome of an awe-inspiring male tiger,” they said.
Briefly tracing Nandan’s journey, his presence was first noticed near the white tiger safari area on March 24, 2013. Thereafter, on March 25, 2013 he was sighted near the white tiger safari of Nandankanan. Since then, pugmarks were regularly sighted around the safari area and up to enclosure No. 32, they said.
Eventually, the tiger was allowed to enter into the 30-acre Safari area in the midnight of April 29, 2013 where it stayed till May 30, 2013.
On May 31, 2013, when it was allowed to enter enclosure number 32C, the tiger escaped from the enclosure by scaling an 18 feet height chain link mesh fence in the late night. However, the tiger did not go away from the Nandankanan sanctuary area and was found frequently coming near the tigers at Enclosure No. 30.
He was again allowed to enter into white tiger safari in the late night of June 23, 2013 and eventually shifted to enclosure number 32C on 07.07.2013.
A magnificent specimen of a wild tiger, he weighed 167 kg. He was named Nandan’ and kept at Nandankanan with permission from Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi for use in conservation breeding programmes and for infusing a new blood line in the zoo tigers. He has been exhibited to visitors from December 29, 2016.
Nandan became a vital participant in our conservation breeding program as a participating zoo for conservation breeding of tigers, siring a total of nine cubs (5:4) over three litters with two tigresses – two litters with tigress Megha (2 males cubs named Bahubali and Kundan in April 2016; 2 males and 1 female cubs in April 2021 named Abhay, Bibek and Sohini respectively and one litter with tigress Ankita (3 females and 1 male cubs in Feb 2023 namely Jayashree, Shree, Trupti and Amit. Nandan was estimated to be about 7-year-old at the time of confinement and is now 18 years old.