‘Was in severe pain’: Tiger suffering from oral cancer euthanised in Kerala zoo

The decision was taken in accordance with provisions under the Wildlife Act that prohibit subjecting animals to prolonged suffering when recovery is not possible, said an official

2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Sep 10, 2026 08:46 PM IST

The disease became so severe that the tiger could no longer eat, leaving little hope of recovery (Representational image).

A 14-year-old male tiger, which has been undergoing treatment for oral cancer at Thrissur Zoological Park, was euthanised on Thursday.

An official communication from the zoological park, under the forest department, said the tiger named Nandu had been diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of oral cancer. The tiger was brought to the park in December last year after being captured in Wayanad.

The tiger suffered from bleeding from the mouth and had difficulty eating. Although treatment was provided under the supervision of veterinary specialists, its condition deteriorated, rendering it unable to close the mouth. Chemotherapy was considered, but it was ruled out due to abnormalities in blood parameters.

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Puthur Zoological Park Director B N Nagaraj said considering the severe pain caused by the disease and the veterinary experts’ assessment that there was no possibility of recovery, the tiger was euthanised on the orders of the Chief Wildlife Warden.

The decision was taken in accordance with provisions of the Wildlife Act that prohibit subjecting animals to prolonged suffering when recovery is not possible, he said.

A post-mortem examination was conducted at the Veterinary University in Thrissur and the body was subsequently buried within the Zoological Park premises as per the norms.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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