White lioness dies due to snake-bite in Chhattisgarh zoo

RAIPUR: A eleven-year-old white lioness died due to snake-bite in a zoo in Chhattisgarh's Durg district ion Saturday.

The lioness - Kaveri was found dead in its enclosure due to snake-bite, T S Chhatri, assistant general manager, of the Maitri Bagh Zoo said.

"The veterinary doctors on a routine check-up found the lioness lying inside its cage unmoved. On further investigating by the vets, found two snake-bites on its body," Chhatri said.

The 11-year-old Kaveri, was born here in the year 1998 and was in good health, the zoo officials said.

A post-mortem has been carried out and the viscera has sent to the laboratory for testing, the official said.

The 62 hectare zoo was setup in the year 1972, is managed by the Steel Authority of India Ltd, and has over 350 animals, including 10 white lions.