SVZP’s 23-Year-Old Lioness Indhu Passes Away Of Age-Related Ailments
SVZP officials said Indhu had been under intensive veterinary care in recent weeks as her health declined due to geriatric complications. Despite these efforts, she passed away on Tuesday morning.
TIRUPATI: The Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (SVZP) in Tirupati lost one of its most iconic residents on Tuesday when 23-year-old lioness Indhu died of age-related ailments.
Indhu was rescued from the Thane National Circus in 2002, arriving at the zoo when she was just eight months old. She went on to outlive all her fellow rescued lions, reaching an age considered exceptional for a captive lion.
SVZP officials said Indhu had been under intensive veterinary care in recent weeks as her health declined due to geriatric complications. Despite these efforts, she passed away on Tuesday morning. A post-mortem conducted by experts from Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University confirmed that she died of natural causes related to ageing.
“Indhu’s life reflects the essence of animal rescue and rehabilitation. She enjoyed a safe and peaceful home for over two decades, and her longevity is a testament to the care she received at SVZP,” the zoo said in a statement.
Lionesses in captivity generally live between 16 and 20 years, making Indhu’s 23 years remarkable. Over the years, she became a quiet symbol of the zoo’s conservation work, admired by both staff and visitors. Her passing marks the end of an important chapter in SVZP’s efforts to protect and rehabilitate big cats.