Tiger 'Mangala' Relocated to Thrissur Zoological Park After Six Years of Care

The Forest Department has relocated Mangala, a female tiger suffering from bilateral cataracts, to the Thrissur Zoological Park in Kerala after nearly six years of specialized care. Originally found abandoned as a cub in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in November 2020, Mangala was rehabilitated at a dedicated Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Unit near Thekkady. Despite extensive efforts to rewild her, veterinary experts determined that her persistent eye condition, specifically lens luxation, rendered her unable to hunt or survive in the wild. Surgical options were deemed unfeasible due to the risks associated with anesthetizing a semi-wild feline. Consequently, authorities ordered her transfer to the zoo for lifelong care. This case marks the first instance in South India where the Forest Department raised a tiger with such intensive support within a reserve. To ensure continuity of care and emotional well-being, Roy Abraham, the forest watcher who bonded with Mangala over the past six years, has been assigned to accompany her to the new facility. The relocation underscores the challenges of wildlife rehabilitation when medical conditions prevent successful release into natural habitats.