Tiger transfer from Assam to Jharkhand proposed

September 16, 2009

Saturday , September 12 , 2009

Breeding blues at Tata zoo

- Authorities await central nod before tiger transfer JAYESH THAKER

Jamshedpur, Sept. 11: Tata Steel Zoological Park’s tiger population is

becoming a cause for worry for authorities with Ben and Shyamali in the

December of their lives.

Almost a decade has passed since two female cubs were born to the pair on

December 22, 1999. Ben’s failing health and his mate’s advancing age has put

a question mark on the chances of them breeding ever again.

Now, hope rests on the duo’s daughter, Shanti. When efforts to breed the

seniors proved futile, the authorities went scouting for a younger male at

zoos across the country, which took them to Guwahati-based Assam State Zoo.

Assam zoo agreed to give Tata a young male. But, Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

is yet to okay the transfer. “Assam agreed to give us a tiger in exchange of

a pair of emus,” said director Bipul Chakrabarty talking to The Telegraph.

“Both Ben and Shyamali are incapable of breeding. However, Shanti born to

them in 1999 will be able to breed, but she lacks a partner. We need a

younger male,” Chakravarty said, adding that the Tata zoo would be getting

in touch with CZA again.

Shanti’s sister, Basanti, was gifted to the Ranchi zoo.

Authorities tried to mate Ben and Shyamali after Shanti and Basanti were

born, an effort that failed. Chakrabarty explained that big cats have a

capacity to breed between 3.5 and 12 years — Ben is already 17 years old

while Shyamali has crossed 16 years.

Meanwhile, Ben, who has a tumour on his belly, is being treated at the zoo’s

clinic. The senior male is too weak to be tranquillised for an operation,

according to vets of Orissa Veterinary College, who examined him on Sunday.

“Doctors suggested a change in the line of treatment and asked us to

administer anabolic steroids to Ben,” said M. Palit, the Tata zoo doctor.

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