In Ranchi, Jharkhand, the Birsa Zoological Park is mourning the death of a lion named Shashank. The hybrid male lion, who was in his advanced years, passed away on Thursday. Shashank had been under medical care for the past month due to age-related ailments, with his health monitored by Dr. Omprakash Sahu, the zoo’s medical officer. Veterinary specialists, including Dr. Abhishek Kumar from Ranchi Veterinary College, were also involved in the lion’s treatment. A post-mortem examination, conducted by Dr. M.K. Gupta, Head of the Pathology Department at Ranchi Veterinary College, confirmed that Shashank had cancer. Samples from the lion’s organs have been sent to the college for further investigation. Dr. Gupta noted that hybrid animals often have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections. The average lifespan for such animals is approximately 15 to 16 years. Shashank was brought to Birsa Zoo in 2014 from the Bannerghatta Zoo in Bengaluru. The zoo management stated that Shashank was 15 years old. This follows the recent death of a lioness named Priyanka in May 2024, who died from kidney failure. The zoo now has a male lion named Abhay and a lioness named Shabari.
