Delhi zoo’s one-horned rhino has cancerous growth on snout
Nine months and a series of treatments later, hope for the recuperation of Delhi zoo’s male rhinoceros, Shiva, is withering away. The wound on its snout shall stay as veterinarians fear the rhinoceros is suffering from a non-healing recurring cancerous growth. Adding to its ailment is its reducing sexual appetite which is even refusing to respond to medicines.
For the officials of the Delhi zoo, it’s a battle with scant chances of victory. Grappling with a wounded snout ever since it was brought to the city’s National Zoological Park (NZP) in August last year, Shiva’s injury may have turned cancerous, informed officials. “He (rhinoceros) has had the injury for years now. His treatment has been on every single day ever since he was brought here. Our vets dress his wound and give medicines through injections on a daily basis. But nothing has helped. There is high possibility that it is a cancerous growth. We have sent the required samples to the laboratory and are awaiting a confirmation on it.” said RA Khan, curator, Delhi zoo. His wound dates back to 1985 when some poachers supposedly cut his horn leaving him ailing in the wilderness of Assam. It was after the incident that he was brought from Assam to the Veer Jeejamata Udyan at Byculla in Mumbai.
Shiva, 39, who is also getting weaker due to old age, was brought to Delhi zoo to mate with the two female rhinos — Mageshwari, 18 and Anjuka, 8. But despite being given medicine to increase his sexual urge, he showed no desire for a sexual activity and never even approached them. “last month we had tried to mate them but his response was on the negative. We have decided not to disturb him any further as he has completely lost interest in it even after administering medicines for the problem. Old age might also be a reason. The average life expectancy of a rhino in captivity is around 40-42 years,” added Khan.
According to zoo officials, Shiva earlier used to be released into the one-acre main rhino enclosure, but is now kept in a separate private enclosure where public viewing is not allowed. “We prefer to keep him isolated so that he does not get disturbed by people and other exterior factors. Hence, he is being kept in a separate cage,” said an official.
Mageshwari and Anjuka, however, have a new partner as the zoo just got another male rhino from Kanpur, last month. This rhino’s health is fine and he is responsive in sexual activities.