Archive · 6 Dec 2025
Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo Loses Two Tigers in Two Months
Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo recently lost two tigers, Shakti and Rudra, within two months.
Shakti, a 9.5-year-old Royal Bengal tiger, died on November 17 due to respiratory failure caused by pneumonia.
Rudra, a 3-year-old tiger cub, died on October 29 after a long illness.
Rudra was born with weak immunity and had been under veterinary care for various infections, including a Trypanosoma infection that temporarily caused blindness.
The zoo officials stated that the deaths were unrelated and that Rudra was not on public display due to his ongoing treatment.
Currently, the zoo has two surviving tigers, Karishma and Jay, who are the parents of Rudra and another cub, Jay.
Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo lost two tigers, Shakti and Rudra, within two months.
Shakti, a 9.5-year-old Royal Bengal tiger, died on November 17 due to respiratory failure from pneumonia.
Rudra, a 3-year-old tiger cub, died on October 29 after a prolonged illness due to weak immunity.
Rudra was born with weak immunity and suffered from infections, including a Trypanosoma infection that caused temporary blindness.
The zoo officials stated that the deaths were unrelated and Rudra was not on public display due to his treatment.
- Who
- Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo officials and the tigers Shakti and Rudra
- What
- Deaths of two tigers, Shakti and Rudra, within two months
- When
- Shakti died on November 17, Rudra died on October 29
- Where
- Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo), Mumbai
- Why
- Shakti died due to respiratory failure from pneumonia; Rudra had weak immunity and prolonged illness
- Zoo Name
- Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo)
- First Tiger Death
- Shakti (9.5 years old, respiratory failure)
- Second Tiger Death
- Rudra (3 years old, prolonged illness)
- Date of Shakti's Death
- November 17
- Date of Rudra's Death
- October 29
- Cause of Rudra's Weakness
- Weak immunity since birth, Trypanosoma infection
- Surviving Tigers
- Karishma and Jay