One of India's oldest tigers, Raja, dies in Bengal

Guwahati, July 11: One of the oldest tigers of India, Raja, died at Khairibari Tiger and Leopard Rescue Centre at Jaldapara in West Bengal's Alipurduar district today. Raja was 25 years and 10 months old, according to Jaldapara's Divisional Forest Officer, M. Deepak.

The official said that the tiger was brought to the rescue centre in August 2008 after he got injured by a crocodile attack at Sunderbans, the abode of mangrove forestation and Royal Bengal tigers in South 24 Parganas district. "Since then, it had been here and became a part of the rescue hub family," he said.

Deepak said that Raja was suffering from old-age related ailments for the last few months and died early on Monday following multi-organ failure. The big cat weighed around 140 kg at the time of death.

The Forest Department officials wrapped Raja's body with flower bouquets and wreaths before cremating it. Alipurduar District Magistrate Surendra Kumar Meena himself arrived at the Khairibari Tiger and Leopard Rescue Centre and paid floral tributes.

"I am really very sad today. As per rules, first post-mortem was conducted and after that the body was cremated," Meena informed newspersons.