Tiger that killed its caretaker two years ago at Pilikula dies of heart attack

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 23, 2015

Mangaluru, May 23: A male adult tiger, which had killed one of its caretakers at Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in Pilikula Nisarga Dhama on the outskirts of the city two-and-half years ago, died of heart attack in the early hours on Friday. He was 21.

With this the number of tigers at the park has been reduced to seven — six males and a female.

tiger raja

Known as Tiger Raja, the 280-kg heavy big cat was centre of attraction at the Biological Park since 2003 when he was brought here from the Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga district.

According to the director of the park H Jayaprakash Bhandary, Tiger Raja died of “heart attack’ due to aging at about 5 a.m. on Friday.

“Its viscera has been sent to Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Hebbal, Bengaluru, for examination,” he said.

The beast had killed its caretaker Kushalappa Gowda on August 1, 2012, when Mr. Gowda reportedly entered its enclosure around 8.30 p.m. as it was not well. The animal probably panicked on the sudden appearance of the caretaker as it was not the time to enter the enclosure. It pounced on him and slashed him in the back and stomach. A bleeding Mr. Gowda lay there till a fellow caretaker and security guard entered the enclosure at 9.30 p.m. He died on the way to hospital.

Mr. Bhandary said that tigers in captivity usually lived up to 18 years. With good health facility and care in captivity they lived for some more years. In natural forest, they usually lived up to 12 years.

He said that Raja ate 10 kg meat and two kg chicken six days a week. When it was brought to the park in 2003 it weighed 280 kg.

“We have video graphed the entire process and cremated the carcass as per norms of the Central Zoo Authority to prevent trophy hunters from stealing away the parts,” he said.

"We have video graphed the entire process and cremated the carcass as per norms of the Central Zoo Authority to prevent trophy hunters from stealing away the parts," the director said.

However, on the brighter side, Raja's loss could soon be made up for Nethravathi is on the 'family way', Bhandary said, noting that she could deliver within the next few months.

Also Read: Ailing tiger kills caretaker in Pilikula biological park

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News Network
December 7,2024

Udupi, Dec 7: A tragic incident involving the death of a 38-year-old hotel worker in Manipal has been confirmed as a case of suicide, dispelling initial reports of murder. Udupi Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr. Arun Kumar clarified the matter after an investigation, including CCTV footage review, revealed the victim, Sridhara, took his own life in a shocking and rare manner.

Incident Overview
The lifeless body of Sridhara, a resident of Kasarakoda and hotel employee in Manipal, was discovered early Friday near Ananta Kalyana Nagara. Initially, it was believed he had been murdered, his throat reportedly slit with a beer bottle. However, a detailed inspection of the scene and CCTV evidence from a nearby shop confirmed that Sridhara inflicted the fatal injury on himself.

Footage revealed the chilling sequence: Sridhara was seen walking purposefully to the spot before suddenly using a beer bottle to slit his throat, collapsing moments later. The act left his throat almost entirely severed, and the beer bottle, along with an empty bag, was found near his body.

Suspected Drug Influence
Authorities suspect Sridhara may have been under the influence of narcotics at the time. A post-mortem examination was conducted at KMC Manipal to uncover any potential contributing factors.

Public Concern and Investigation Status
Although the investigation has ruled out foul play, local residents have urged authorities to probe further to ensure no external involvement was overlooked. The police, while confident in their findings, have withheld the CCTV footage from public release due to the sensitive nature of the case and ongoing inquiries.

“This was a tragic and rare method of suicide, confirmed through thorough investigation and verified CCTV evidence,” SP Dr. Arun Kumar stated, urging the public to avoid speculation.

The incident has left the community in shock, sparking discussions around mental health awareness and the impact of substance abuse. Authorities continue to investigate further to close the case conclusively.

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News Network
November 28,2024

rahul.jpg

Mangaluru, Nov 28: In a major breakthrough, police have arrested Rahul, alias Bol Karmaveer Eshwar Jat, a Haryana native, for a brutal train murder committed on October 25. Rahul, a notorious interstate serial offender, was apprehended after a relentless investigation involving multiple state police forces.

The October 25 incident occurred during a train journey when Rahul got into an argument over a cigarette with Mauzzam, a resident of Chikkaballapur. The altercation escalated, leading to Rahul strangling Mauzzam to death. He fled the scene with the victim’s mobile phone, bag, and cash.

Muazzan worked as a sales representative and was differently-abled. He boarded the train on October 24 from Yesvantpur and occupied the Divyang Coach. The incident came to light on the morning of October 25 at Udupi, where a railway guard found Muazzam unresponsive. The railway police immediately rushed him to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead.

Accused Rahul was tracked down through an exhaustive review of over 2,000 CCTV recordings by police teams from Valsad, Vapi, Surat, and Udvada. His identity was eventually confirmed by a vigilant officer from Surat Central Jail, leading to his capture in a joint operation by Railway and Surat police.

Rahul’s criminal record reveals a trail of horrifying offenses across Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Haryana, and West Bengal. Among these are the rape of a mentally ill minor girl in Pune and the rape and murder of a 19-year-old woman near Udvada railway station in Gujarat's Vapi district. Despite being arrested in the past, Rahul resumed his crimes after securing bail.

On November 19, he allegedly stabbed a 60-year-old man to death aboard the Katihar Express in West Bengal, with a case registered at the Howrah police station. In Telangana, he confessed to murdering a woman in yet another shocking crime.

Public Advisory:

  • Stay vigilant when traveling on trains, especially during late hours.
  • Report suspicious individuals or activities to railway authorities immediately.
  • Ensure your personal belongings are secure while traveling.
  • This arrest brings a sense of relief, but the investigations continue as authorities piece together the full extent of Rahul’s crimes.

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