The only Royal Bengal Tiger in Tripura’s zoo Dipu died in the zoo yesterday because of ‘old age’, zoo director Naresh Jamatiya told reporters.
The zoo is located at Sipahijala sanctuary, about 18 km from here.
The Wild Life Warden of the sanctuary, Anjan Sen said the tiger was ailing for about last six months and was on oral rehydration for last fortnight.
Dipu, a male tiger, has been alone in the zoo for two years since his female partner Chilli died of liver cancer.
When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Ashok Kumar said the tiger was 15-years-old and the average life span of a Royal Bengal Tiger is 15-18 years.
The tiger was brought from Chandigarh zoo in 2006 when it was 3-year old.
Sipahijala Zoo is housed beside the wildlife sanctuary, around 18km from here. It comprises rich forests with an artificial lake which is used for boating and to assist different wild animals, reports The Telegraph.
Sipahijala sanctuary is famous for its clouded leopard enclosures. This species is bred in captivity in this sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to 150 species of birds and the spectacled monkey, a near-extinct species of primates. The terrain is green throughout the year and the weather is temperate except for the humid summer months of March and April.