23-05-2025
Lioness dies at Ranchi biological park, had low immunity due to ‘hybrid lineage', officials say
A lioness died on Wednesday night, likely due to an infection, at the Birsa Munda Biological Park in Ranchi, officials said.
The 15-year-old lioness, named Priyanka, was attended to by the park's in-house veterinarian, Dr Omprakash Sahu, after it was found in a deteriorated condition. However, it died during treatment.
Jabbar Singh, the director of the biological park based in Ranchi's Ormanjhi area, said the lioness likely died due to an internal infection, although no major symptoms were detected before her death.
Singh said the animal, born in 2010, was a 'hybrid' lioness — a cross between African and Asian lineages. 'Such animals generally have weaker immunity and shorter lifespans,' he said.
The lioness had been brought from the Bannerghatta National Park in Bengaluru in 2014.
Singh noted that during the postmortem, a significant amount of fluid was found inside the lioness's body, which doctors believe was linked to the infection.
The biological park now houses one male lion, which also has a hybrid lineage.
'An exchange has been approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), and we are expecting to bring in a new pair from Raipur's Jungle Safari in Chhattisgarh within a week or so,' Singh said.
Shashikar Samanta, Jharkhand's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after he personally inspects the postmortem report. 'They are saying it was due to some infection, but I won't comment until I see the report myself,' he said.
Samanta said hybrid lions often lack reproductive capability and tend to have weaker immune systems. 'She was around 15-16 years old, so she had nearly completed her lifespan,' he said.
According to officials, the postmortem was conducted on Thursday under the supervision of Dr M K Gupta from Ranchi Veterinary College. Other officials and staff of the biological park were also present during the postmortem.
The preliminary report confirmed that the lioness died due to a uterine infection. Samples of various organs have been sent for further examination to determine the precise nature of the infection.
Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India.
Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions.
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