Mumbai: Absence of tigress Karishma from display at zoo gives rise to rumours

Tigress Karishma, seen here at the zoo in a photograph from December 2020. Pic/Ashish Rane

The absence of tigress Karishma from display at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has given rise to several rumours. She has been missing from display for the past 15 days and one of the rumours says that she has given birth to four cubs. However, the director of the zoo has said she is in quarantine due to a wound.

A pair of Royal Bengal tigers was brought to the zoo last February from Aurangabad zoo in exchange for two pairs of spotted deer and painted storks. The big cat pair was in quarantine for a month and supposed to be on exhibit in March 2020. But the lockdown extended for a year and after the zoo reopened on February 15, the visitors could see only Shakti and not Karishma.

Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of the zoo, said, "The tigress hasn't given birth to cubs. She has a wound and has been under treatment for the past few days. We will release her in the exhibit within two-three days."