Two big cats, a lioness and a white tiger, died due to health-related issues at Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (SVZP), here on Friday. According to zoo officials, the 16-year-old lioness Yampa, rescued from National Circus in Maharashtra in 2001 and later transferred to SVZP’s Animal Rescue Centre, passed away owing to old age. “For the past few days, Yampa had been suffering from paralysis, besides being ridden with sores and ill-health,” they added. The three-year-old white tiger Balaram sustained an injury near its tail, during a playful banter with other tigers. Despite the treatment, the tiger died of infection from the wound. After performing post-mortem, both the cats were cremated by the zoo authorities.
