Lone lion at Rajshahi zoo dies

The lioness of the zoo Rani is also sick and has not been taking her food properly.

Raja was 16 and had been suffering from diseases for over a year. He died around 10:00am.

However, veterinary surgeon of the zoo and Rajshahi University Prof Jalal Uddin Sardar said Raja had died of old age.

After performing Raja's autopsy, he said, "There was a congestion in his lungs and he was suffering from respiratory problems."

Sources inside the zoo, however, said Raja was not given his normal diet of 12kg of meat a day.

In several cases, Raja was given meat of cows and goats which died of diseases. He was also confined in a dirty cage and was not bathed for a long time, they alleged.

The cages of Rani and the tiger were cleaned only after the death of Raja, they added.

The sources also alleged that mismanagement and carelessness have led to many of the animals becoming sick including Mandi the deer.

The lone tiger of the zoo was not allowed to mate with the tigress for a long time and the donkeys were so ill-fed that they now eat paper when offered.

Jalal, however, denied the allegations and said Raja and other animals were given their regular diet.

He said, "Mandi is now 32 and that's quite an old age for a deer, he could die any time."