She is finally here – and to what a red carpet reception. A ramp had been prepared for the gorgeous six-year-old feline, who seemed mildly distressed by the carnival-like atmosphere inside the city zoo. After spending nearly a week inside a crammed cage, Malar the white tigress stretched her limbs and paced uncertainly inside an enclosure she was let in to before being hustled into a quarantine shelter.
Without doubt, the most eagerly anticipated arrivals at the city zoo in the recent past, the white tiger reached the zoo on Monday evening after traversing the length of the country from New Delhi.
A cross-country drive can be incredibly stressful even for a seasoned human traveller. So for animals that have spent their lives cooped up inside cages and small open enclosures, it can be very disorienting. Considering the circumstances, Malar did wonderfully.
Her entourage, that included zoo veterinarian Jacob Alexander, were watchful for any signs of discomfort. “It was only during the first day that she had no appetite but she ate well the remainder of the journey,” he said.
They had to stop in regular intervals to remove the animal’s excreta and wash the interior of the tempo truck because otherwise the air-conditioned cabin could end up smelling foul.
During the journey, Malar had a tendency to brace herself inside the small crate as per the movements of the truck, with her paws. That did cause some bruising, which was also immediately tended to by the zoo staffers accompanying her. She was regularly given drinking water laced with electrolytes, B-complex and other vitamins.
The doctor also noted how the climate this time of the year is perfect for such an endeavour. “We could even leave the windows open for better air circulation because it wasn’t too hot for her anyway,” he said. What one would imagine is a painfully long road-trip, was actually bearable until they crossed into Kerala.
“The roads were excellent otherwise. So even though we took turns driving the car (in which zoo officials were travelling) it did not feel uncomfortable. Two hours of driving in Kerala was equivalent in terms of stress to traversing several States,” said Dr. Alexander. Malar will be placed in a quarantine facility, where her health will be carefully monitored as she gets used to the new environment. She will be released for public viewing only after a month.
