India’s Oldest Surviving Royal Bengal Tiger In Captivity Passes Away At 25


Raja, India’s longest-surviving tiger at more than 25 years old, died on Monday at the SKB Rescue Centre in West Bengal, officials said, news agency ANI reported.

“With a very sad heart, this is to inform you that ‘Raja’ the tiger from SKB Rescue Center, died today morning around 3 a.m. He died at the age of 25 years and 10 months making him one of the longest surviving tigers in the country,” forest department officials said, ANI reported. 

Raja did not show any symptoms of serious illness in recent times and the vets diagnosed the cause of his death as old-age-related problems, which may surface all of a sudden, Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy informed news agency PTI.

‘Raja’ was taken to the South Khairbari Tiger Rescue Center in North Bengal in August 2008 after being hurt by a crocodile in a territorial struggle, suffering more than ten injuries.

The gorgeous beast was then cured at South Khairbari by veterinary doctor Pralay Mandal, Wildlife Guard Partha Sarthi Sinha, and other staff members, according to the official.

He was over 11 years old when he was brought to the South Khairbari rescue centre, where he lived for another 15 years, making him one of the country’s oldest living tigers.

“We all are in a state of mourning,” officials said.

District Magistrate of Alipurduar, Surendra Kumar Meena, Directorate of Forests in Jaldapara, Dipak M, and other officers of the forest department and district government, as well as zoo employees, paid tribute to Raja.

(With Agencies Inputs)