- By Jasreet Kaur
- Sun, 24 Sep 2023 09:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The animal kingdom lost one of its cherished residents at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam. According to the officials, an 18-year-old lioness named Maheswari died of a heart attack due to old age. These majestic creatures leave an indelible mark on the hearts of visitors and the world of wildlife conservation.
“The cause of death is severe myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to senility (old age) as per the post-mortem report submitted by the veterinary assistant surgeon,” Vizag Zoo curator Nandani Salaria said in a press release, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Maheswari, born in 2006, made her way to the Vizag Zoo from Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoo in 2019. Her demise was attributed to a severe myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, brought on by the natural progression of age. Vizag Zoo curator Nandani Salaria, in a press release, confirmed the cause of death and added that Maheswari had been a vital contributor to the cause of conservation and education, enlightening millions about the fascinating world of Asiatic lions.
Lions typically survive for about 16 to 18 years in the wild, making Maheswari's ability to reach her 19th year a remarkable testament to her resilience and the care she received at Vizag Zoo.
In a parallel incident on May 9, the zoo mourned the loss of Kumari, a 19-year-old white tigress. Kumari was born in 2004 and had been a part of the Vizag Zoo family since her arrival from Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad in 2007. Her legacy included the birth of nine white tiger cubs, a significant contribution to the conservation of this rare and magnificent species. The post-mortem report cited multi-organ failure, a consequence of age-related health issues, as the cause of Kumari's passing.