Ailing white Bengal tiger at Odisha zoo diagnosed with ‘arthritis’

Bhubaneswar: Ailing white Bengal tiger ‘Samrat’ at the Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) was diagnosed with inflammatory ‘arthritis’.

The fact was revealed after an x-ray report of the 9-year-old male white Bengal tiger was submitted to the NZP on Saturday indicating low bone density near left waist.

In this regard veterinary orthopedic doctor Prof. Dr. Indramani Nath of College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry affiliated to Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) advised the zoo authorities recommending weight reduction of the tiger and few health tips to relieve arthritis pain.

Based on the OUAT report, the Nanadankanan authorities are planning to shift ‘Samrat’ from existing enclosure to a plain and small enclosure for his stay where he can undergo proper treatment.

Recently, Samrat had undergone few medical tests after he developed complications in movement for the past two months. An x-ray was conducted on his joints located below the waist.

The test report indicated that the tiger’s bone connected to left waist is gradually decreasing. As his weight is more as compared to his age, he is feeling pain on his legs during movement.

It can be noted that Samrat was born to Royal Bengal tiger ‘Nisan’ and white tiger ‘Kusum’ at the zoo on March 1, 2010.