Nandankanan Zoo mourns death of 18-year-old tigress Sara

An eighteen-year-old tigress named ‘Sara’ died in her enclosure at Nandankanan Zoological Park, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

Sara passed away due to old- age-related health ailments while undergoing treatment. 

Sara was brought to Nandankanan Zoo from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh as a five-month-old cub as part of an animal exchange programme in 2006.

The tigress became a vital participant in the conservation breeding programme at the zoo, infusing new bloodlines by giving birth to Asha, Ankita, and Subhashree in 2012.

Sara started to suffer from old-age-related ailments in 2024. Her health condition deteriorated on February 29. She didn’t take any food and appeared dull and weak. She was even unable to stand and had difficulty in breathing.

Following treatment by a team of doctors, she revived a little bit. However, her health condition deteriorated again on March 21. Sara was found with feeble respiration. Despite all kinds of efforts by a team of doctors, Sara eventually passed away while undergoing treatment.

According to the zoo authorities, Sara was a cherished wild tigress and an integral part of the Nandankanan family.

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