Bear dies of TB in Bannerghatta

BANGALORE: A 14-year-old bear, Vivek, died in the Bear Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (BBRC) on Sunday. The bear had been rescued from Purulia district of West Bengal and shifted to the Purulia Bear Rescue Centre in November 2010. Dr R Raju, executive director, Bannerghatta Biological Park, that Vivek was under treatment for three months and died of tuberculosis.

Only on Friday, one-monthold tiger Sharath died at Bannerghatta Biological Park due to kidney-related problems.

Mysore Zoo loses a tigress

MYSORE: A white tigress, which was diagnosed with cancer last week, died at Mysore Zoo on Sunday night. Reetha, who was 17 years old, was diagnosed with cancer on July 14 and the zoo authorities were planning surgical intervention. But she died around 8.30 pm, sources said.

Reetha had stopped taking food two days ago. The zoo was apprehensive that surgery could prove disastrous. The cancer had affected the mammary glands on her left. The tigress was born on September 23, 1993, at the conservation centre. She was among the two white tigress’ in the zoo. With her death the number of tigers has come down to nine, including two cubs.