City zoo loses its lone Himalayan bear, Bhavani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bhavani, the Himalayan bear, which had long been suffering from old-age ailments, died at the zoo hospital on Tuesday. She was shifted to hospital from the animal house after she had shown sluggishness and signs of torpor.
Bhavani was brought from Haryana zoo along with her partner Bhasi in 2004. Bhasi had died eight years ago.
Bhavani, who was one of the oldest exhibits in the zoo, was as a calm animal and was never reported to have turned violent.She used to strike great pose as the visitors clicked photos. She had shown tiredness for almost a year and would slip into long hours of sleep forcing the zoo-keepers to shift her to the hospital.
With an immense bulk weighing 100kg, she was fed on an elaborate diet comprising honey, ragi, porridge, fruits and she would consume up to 3kg of food a day.
At the hospital she was hand fed with long slices of water melon and was fed using syringe filled with the mix of honey and electrolytes.
"Her organs were detected with changes related to senility. She was a lovable animal who was cooperative and responsive and used to be very popular among the visitors," said Jacob Alexander, zoo veterinarian.
The zoo is now devoid of Himalayan bears. The authorities have placed a request with the Railways for a special coach to transport a pair of Himalayan bear from Nagaland zoo.
It is expected that the approval would be finalized by the end of October and trip would be conducted in the first week of November.