Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 23: Tiger Raja, whose presence was admired by lacs of people who visited Pilikula Dr Shivaram Karanth Nisargadhama wildlife park during the last 12 years, breathed his last on Friday May 22. Raja was 21-year-old.

The animal died of heart attack. As against the normal life span of 18 years for tigers, Raja lived for 21 years. Tiger Raja had been shifted to Pilikula from Tiger Safari Centre in Shivamogga in the year 2003.

Tiger Raja weighed about 280 kg, and consumed an average of 10 kg meat and two kg chicken everyday. The tiger was robust and strong, but of late, its movements had been affected due to the affects of aging. It looked tired, and was under treatment since sometime. After the death of the tiger on Friday morning, its mortal remains were confined to flames.

Raja had gone wild once about 30 months back when he was suffering from illness. When Kushalappa, an attendant at the wildlife park, was applying medicine, the tiger had suddenly pounced upon him. Kushalappa had later died of bleeding.