Tigress Bijalee passes away at SGNP due to age-related ailments; Mumbai

Tigress Bijalee, a key attraction at Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), has died due to age-related ailments, officials said on Thursday.

The 18-year-old big cat breathed her last around 9.45 pm on Wednesday, park authorities said.

Bijalee had been a key attraction and cherished member of the SGNP family since 2016, they said.

According to an official from the protected forest, the tigress had shown a gradual reduction in her food intake over the past month, prompting them to closely monitor her health.

She was being provided medical and supportive care by the veterinary officer under the technical guidance of the Technical Veterinary Advisory Team of Western Maharashtra, the official said.

Bijalee was brought to SGNP from the Pench Tiger Reserve. Over her decade-long stay at the park, she played an important role in wildlife management, conservation education, and captive animal care efforts, officials said.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death, authorities said. The SGNP administration also invited wildlife enthusiasts to share their memories and photographs of Bijalee on social media to honour her legacy.