Bajirao is well. A medical report of the 17-year-old lone surviving white tiger at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) has confirmed that he doesn't have cancer.
It was a bulge on its elbow that had SGNP officials worried. Moreover, the memories of Rebecca are still with them. The 19-year-old white tigress died of cancer last year, after putting up a brave fight against melanoma for almost nine months. The left only Bajirao, who, too, is suffering from old age.
"It was in August that we found a swelling on its left elbow of the forelimb and we saw that he was limping and not able to bear his weight on that foot. While we were aware about its age-related issues, we wanted to rule out our worst fear – of the growth being cancerous as initial treatment did not yield results," said Dr Shailesh Pethe, veterinary officer, SGNP.
Soon, a team of vets decided to get a biopsy done. "A punch-hole surgery was carried out on August 18 to remove a piece of tissue and sent for biopsy and the reports that came this week affirmed that it was not cancerous. This was a major relief for all of us," said Pethe, adding that it was the lack of melanin in white tigers that makes them so vulnerable to cancer.
According to officials, the tiger is being given pain killers and arthritic medicines to relieve it from pain and is being monitored regularly. "He is in his last phase of life as he is extremely old. Since he had been limping for a long time, as per rules, he had not been exposed to tourists for several years now. We were relieved that he does not suffer from cancer as we don't want him to go through what Rebecca had to," said another official.
The suffering an animal might have to go through when afflicted with cancer could be fathomed from the plight of Rebecca. She was detected with melanoma in February 2015 and underwent four surgeries and several sessions of chemotherapy. Her last tumour was the size of a coconut.
Shailesh Deore, superintendent of lion and tiger safari, said that Bajirao, which had aged now, was being given proper care and facilities. "He is one of the oldest tigers at SGNP. White tigers were always a major attraction at SGNP. Now, we will have to scout for fresh pair of white tigers," he said.
