ZOO CHECK TIGER DIES IN BANGALORE

[Guest guest]

http://www.bornfree.org.uk/big.cat/greenwich.shtml

 

Tiger Greenwich (1985 - 2006)

 

[image: greenwhich - photo Tony Wiles]

 

*Just days after the euthanasia of the first lions rescued by the Born Free

Foundation, we have more sad news to report: the euthanasia of Greenwich,

one our first rescued tigers.*

 

Greenwich was one of six tigers confiscated from the run down Cross Bros

Circus in Kent. It was the start of the Born Free Foundations's relationship

with the generous readers of the Mail on Sunday who launched an appeal to

send Greenwich and his companions to a special 15 acre camp in Bannerghatta

Wildlife Park in India. The tigers arrived in December 1987, having

exchanged a circus wagon where they could only take three steps in any

direction to forest where they could run, possibly for the first time in

their lives. Gradually, over the years, his companions died but Greenwich

remained. Then, in 2002, he seemed to take on a new lease of life when he

was transferred to Born Free's new tiger sanctuary within a private area of

the wildlife park in Bannerghatta. It was hoped that he could perhaps be

introduced to the elderly Tiger Ginny, but she would have none of it. In

fact, Greenwich was more interested in the six year old Zeudy, his other

neighbour. She did not return his interest either, but they all lived

happily alongside each other, seeming to get on better as neighbours than

house mates.

 

In March this year it was noticed Greenwich was slowing down and his

breathing was getting a bit wheezy. He was also spending more time in his

night kraal, seeming to prefer the short grass and shady trees in there than

the thick undergrowth of his two acres of jungle. Then, on 14th May, our

Animal Care Consultant, Tony Wiles, received an email from the Bannerghatta

Park Director informing him that the health of Greenwich was deteriorating

and he appeared to be getting weaker. However, Greenwich was still eating

and did not seem to be in distress. On the 18th May Tony received a further

mail saying that Greenwich was now not in good condition at all.

 

It was decided to bring forward Tony's next scheduled visit by five weeks

and go out there as soon as possible to see what could be done for

Greenwich.

 

By the time Tony arrived at the park the ageing Greenwich's condition had

deteriorated further and he was starting to suffer. On 28th May it was

decided, with much sadness, to euthanase him.

 

Greenwich was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the forest which

had been his home for almost 20 years. Rest in peace Greenwich.

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Tribute from Virginia McKenna

 

* " This amazing old tiger was a true survivor. For me he was a very special

link to the past, as my husband Bill and I had accompanied the six tigers to

India, and Greenwich remained a symbol of how we can help individual animals

to a decent and sympathetic retirement. Hopefully his memories of the circus

beast wagon had faded long ago. Our memory of him will remain - as will our

gratitude to all those who looked after him over the years and understood

that, as the quality of his life had come to an end, it was time to release

his spirit. " *

Virginia McKenna, Born Free Founder.