BAHAWALPUR: An aging lioness, affectionately called “Poami”, passed away at the Bahawalpur zoo late on Wednesday night after a prolonged illness, zoo officials said. Though a source claimed unhygienic feed was responsible for her death.
Mohammad Iqbal, the zoo care taker, said that the lioness was 26 years old, which is quite old for lions, given their average life is around 27-28 years. He claimed that the animal was being looked after properly, with regular food and medications.
Iqbal added that the lioness had appeared weak for the past few months. Veterinarian Dr Fiaz-ul-Haq had diagnosed and listed instructions in dealing with the animal.
However, a zoo source told The Express Tribune that food rations to the sick and dying animals was often stopped, being reserved for the healthier animals. The source further alleged that the feed provided to Poami was not suitable for the lioness’ nor was she being looked after properly, and caused her death.
The caretaker said the lioness had given birth to almost 10 cubs during her life time.
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I have been to the Bahawalpur Zoo many a times and have visited this once mighty lioness. It is sad that she died. I go along with the anonymous zoo caretaker that the conditions of captivity in the zoo are pretty pathetic and I pity the way animals are caged.
why it was killed. if it could not be feeded then should have been freed in a jungle