18-Year-Old Tigress Bijalee Dies at Sanjay Gandhi National Park After Prolonged Health Decline

MUMBAI, Sept 17 : Tigress Bijalee, also known as T2, died at Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Wednesday night at the age of around 18 years and four months, park officials said.

Bijalee died at around 9:45 pm on September 16 following a prolonged decline in her health. According to the SGNP administration, her condition had deteriorated over the past few weeks due to age-related health complications.

The park authorities had observed a gradual decline in Bijalee's food intake from last month. She was subsequently placed under close observation and received veterinary treatment and supportive care under the guidance of the Technical Veterinary Advisory Team of Western Maharashtra.

Despite continued medical attention, supportive treatment and regular monitoring by the veterinary team, her condition did not improve, officials said.

Bijalee had arrived at Sanjay Gandhi National Park from Pench Tiger Reserve on July 11, 2016. During her years at the park, she became a familiar presence for visitors as well as the veterinary and animal care teams.

While the park administration has attributed her death to age-related health complications, officials said a standard post-mortem examination would be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death.

Following her death, SGNP appealed to wildlife enthusiasts and visitors who had seen or photographed Bijalee during her years at the park to share their pictures and memories on social media as a tribute.

Bijalee's death marks the end of her long association with Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where she had been under the care of the park authorities since 2016.