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Article in Mid-day
dated 21st March 2001
Safari lion passes away , leaves
behind a controversy.
 From
Shavu, the young lion form the lion safari at Borivili National
Park, who was undergoing treatment at the Parel hospital dies
on Monday. While the hospital authorities state that the animal
died inspite of being administered the best treatment, some
animal activists question his sudden death when he seemed
quite healthy.
Fourteen year old Shavu was admitted to the hospital in
the last week of February with a stomach ailment.
Shavu's post mortem report reveals that he died of a cyst
in the abdomen, a liver enlargement and a damaged kidney.
According to A. Nageshkar of Bombay Society of Prevention
to Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), which was looking after
the animal for last five- six days. "His condition
kept deteriorating everyday" he said.
Animal activists argue that the animal was healthy. The
doctor who treated Shavu was not available for comment.
Shavu's body was taken to Sanjay Gandhi National Park
for cremation yesterday.
The lion's stay in the hospital was embroiled in controversy,
BSPCA' had solicited donations for his treatment, which
would be exempted from incometax under section80G.
Subsequently , BSPCA collected nearly Rs. 40,000, though
the exact figure is not known . The animals treament till
last week amounted to Rs. 13,000.
However, assistant conservator of forests found it suprising
that the BSPCA was collecting funds for the animal. "
I am in charge of the animal and I have not asked for
any funds. The State Government is paying for the animal."
he said.
Nageshkar said "
The forest officials will pay the bill soon. However we
need money for our work. Whatever was leftover from the
donations collected will be used for the treatment of
the next exotic animal. If anybody wants to check the
records and accounts, they are welcome to do so."
meanwhile volunteers who worked with Shavu, wept on hearing
of his death. Shavu was well liked and allowed volunteers
to come in the cage and play with him.
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