{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Kota's Abheda Park Restricts Visitor Access to Elderly Tigress Mehak Over Severe Balance Issues",
  "summary": "Forest authorities in Kota have moved 23-year-old tigress Mehak away from the public display zone after medical examinations revealed critical hind-limb weakness.",
  "content": "Visitors visiting the Abheda Biological Park in Kota will no longer be able to catch a glimpse of its resident tigress, Mehak. The big cat, which has reached an advanced age of 23 years, is experiencing significant physical deterioration. During a recent medical evaluation, veterinarians observed that the functionality of her hindquarters has substantially degraded, making it exceedingly difficult for her to maintain proper physical equilibrium. Due to this loss of balance, the risk of her stumbling, falling, and sustaining traumatic bodily injuries has risen sharply. Consequently, wildlife authorities decided to immediately suspend her release into the outdoor visitor-facing enclosure.\n\nVeterinary Panel Advises Isolation for Safety\nThe precautionary measure follows specific guidance from a medical assessment committee that was assembled to evaluate the animal's physical decline. The specialist panel comprised Assistant Conservator of Forests Pankaj Meena alongside senior veterinary officers Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Pandey and Dr. Trilok Gochar. After conducting a thorough clinical checkup, the medical team firmly advised against keeping the aging tigress in the open display zone. Acting on their expert findings, Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve Field Director and Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) T. Mohanraj, along with Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Pramod Kumar Dhakad, officially sanctioned the withdrawal order.\n\nMonitoring Dietary Habits and Vital Signs\nMedical staff are closely tracking Mehak's daily nutritional intake alongside her overall physiological condition. According to health logs, the tigress completely skipped her meal on 17 October, raising immediate alarm among keepers. Fortunately, her appetite showed modest recovery the following day on 18 October, when she managed to consume approximately 2.8 kilograms of chicken. Furthermore, clinical diagnostic checks confirmed that both her body temperature and respiration rate continue to hover within normal biological parameters, offering some relief to the attending medical personnel.\n\nRound-the-Clock Monitoring in Kraal and Night Shelter\nTo avoid sudden physical exertion and prevent accidental falls, the forest administration has shifted Mehak into the tranquil confines of the night shelter and kraal facility. This controlled environment ensures she can rest undisturbed while receiving focused geriatric care tailored to her fragile health. The biological park's caretakers and senior veterinary staff have been issued clear directives to maintain continuous surveillance over her daily movements, ensuring immediate intervention if her mobility or physical condition fluctuates.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe decision to pull tigress Mehak away from the visitor zone directly alters the sighting experience for tourists arriving at the facility.\n\n• For Visitors in Kota: Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Abheda Biological Park will no longer be able to spot tigress Mehak in the public viewing area. Guests will have to limit their viewing tours to the other animals housed inside the biological park.\n• Across India for Wildlife Observers: A tigress surviving to the age of 23 is an exceptionally rare milestone in captivity. This development highlights the growing focus across Indian zoos on adopting humane geriatric care standards for aging big cats.\n• Park Management Protocols: Safety guidelines across regional animal enclosures will place animal welfare above public entertainment. Animals showing signs of mobility impairment will be systematically spared from public display stress.\n• Veterinary Care Focus: The transition sets a clear operational benchmark for biological parks managing elderly carnivores. Facility managers are urged to provide dedicated kraal facilities and personalized nutritional schedules rather than open enclosures.\n\nWhy this happened\nDue to her advanced age of 23 years, tigress Mehak suffered severe loss of mobility in her hindquarters, making physical balance nearly impossible. The immediate decision to isolate her was made to prevent potential falls and fatal physical injuries in the open enclosure.\n\n• Geriatric Physical Degradation: At 23 years old, Mehak has far exceeded the typical lifespan of wild tigers. Extreme aging resulted in neuromuscular weakness in her hind limbs, leading to instability whenever she attempted to walk.\n• Direct Veterinary Recommendation: A panel featuring two senior veterinary surgeons and an assistant conservator thoroughly examined her mobility. The medical committee formally warned that keeping her in the display area posed severe health risks.\n• Erratic Dietary Patterns: The tigress completely refused to eat on 17 October, which compromised her stamina and alerted zoo authorities. Although she ate 2.8 kilograms of meat the next day, her frail health necessitated restricted movement in a night kraal.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Why was tigress Mehak removed from the public viewing enclosure?\nAt 23 years of age, she developed hindquarter weakness and poor balance, creating a critical risk of falling and suffering severe injuries.\n\n2. Where is tigress Mehak currently housed?\nShe is housed at the Abheda Biological Park located in Kota, Rajasthan.\n\n3. Who conducted the medical examination of the tigress?\nThe examination was carried out by ACF Pankaj Meena alongside Senior Veterinary Officers Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Pandey and Dr. Trilok Gochar.\n\n4. What update was given regarding her recent food intake?\nShe refused food on 17 October, but resumed eating on 18 October by consuming roughly 2.8 kilograms of chicken.\n\n5. Where will Mehak stay under the new arrangements?\nShe will remain in the park's night shelter and kraal enclosure for comprehensive rest and round-the-clock monitoring.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/girakara-chotila-hone-ke-dara-se-abheda-biological-park-men-baghina-mehak-ka-didara-bnda-23-ki-umra-men-bigara-sntulana-49379",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-19",
  "tags": [
    "Abheda Biological Park",
    "Tigress Mehak",
    "Kota News",
    "Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve",
    "Wildlife Care",
    "Rajasthan"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}