Giraffe Shivani dies at Bannerghatta Biological Park from caecal torsion
Synopsis
Shivani, a nearly four-year-old giraffe at Bengaluru's Bannerghatta Biological Park, has died from caecal torsion — a fatal intestinal twist — becoming the latest in a string of animal deaths at the facility that have prompted calls for a full review of captive wildlife management practices.
Key Takeaways
Shivani , a female giraffe aged 3 years and 10 months , died at Bannerghatta Biological Park , Bengaluru, on 7 May .
Preliminary post-mortem findings cite caecal torsion — twisting of a section of the intestine — as the cause of death.
The giraffe had stopped eating for three days prior to death despite active veterinary treatment.
Organ samples have been sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals Laboratory for further analysis.
Shivani was transferred to Bannerghatta from Mysuru Zoo in 2024 .
The death follows a series of animal fatalities at the park including tiger cubs, zebras, and leopards since 2023 .
A female giraffe named Shivani died at Bannerghatta Biological Park on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Thursday, 7 May, after succumbing to caecal torsion — a condition involving the twisting of a section of the intestine — officials confirmed. The three-year-ten-month-old animal had stopped eating for three days prior to her death despite sustained veterinary intervention.
What Happened
According to park officials, Shivani had been under the care of a dedicated veterinary team for the three days preceding her death. She passed away at approximately 11 am on Thursday, with medical staff reportedly unable to reverse her deteriorating condition. Preliminary post-mortem findings attributed her death to caecal torsion, a serious gastrointestinal condition in which a portion of the large intestine twists upon itself, cutting off blood supply and causing rapid organ failure.
Samples of the giraffe's internal organs have been collected and dispatched to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals Laboratory for further examination, officials added. Results of the detailed post-mortem analysis are awaited.
Shivani's Background
Shivani had been transferred to Bannerghatta Biological Park from the Mysuru Zoo in 2024. Inter-zoo transfers of large mammals are standard practice in India's wildlife management network, aimed at maintaining genetic diversity and population balance across captive facilities. At the time of her death, she was one of the younger giraffes at the park.
A Pattern of Deaths at Bannerghatta
Shivani's death is the latest in a series of animal fatalities that have drawn scrutiny to Bannerghatta Biological Park in recent years. In July 2025, three newborn tiger cubs died after being abandoned by their mother, drawing widespread public criticism. The incident followed the reported death of a pregnant zebra, which wildlife activists attributed to staff negligence — an allegation zoo officials denied, stating that veterinary staff had done everything possible.
A three-year-old zebra died due to capture myopathy following an accident, prompting a formal inquiry in June 2025. A male leopard died from lung failure in November 2025. Earlier, seven leopard cubs died from the feline panleukopenia virus in September 2023, and over 15 deer died within two days due to a bacterial infection following a herd relocation in 2023.
Notably, the cumulative nature of these incidents has intensified calls from wildlife activists and conservationists for a comprehensive review of animal care, disease surveillance, and management protocols at the facility.
About Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bannerghatta Biological Park, also known as the Bannerghatta Zoo, is a 731.88-hectare zoological facility located on the southern outskirts of Bengaluru. Originally established in 1974 as a small zoo and picnic area within Bannerghatta National Park, the biological park was formally bifurcated from the national park in 2002. It currently houses a zoo, a safari park, a butterfly park, and a rescue centre, making it one of the largest and most visited wildlife facilities in southern India.
With organ samples now under laboratory analysis, authorities are expected to release a detailed cause-of-death report in the coming days — a finding that wildlife groups say will be closely watched given the park's recent record.
Point of View
Disease surveillance systems, and staffing ratios are adequate for the scale and diversity of its captive population. Organ sample results will matter, but what the park arguably needs more urgently is a transparent, independent audit of its animal health protocols — not just another post-mortem report.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did giraffe Shivani die at Bannerghatta Biological Park?
Shivani died from caecal torsion, a condition in which a section of the large intestine twists upon itself, on 7 May at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru. She had stopped eating for three days and did not respond to veterinary treatment.
What is caecal torsion in animals?
Caecal torsion is a gastrointestinal condition where the caecum — a pouch at the junction of the small and large intestine — twists, cutting off blood supply and causing rapid deterioration. It is considered a life-threatening emergency in large mammals and can be difficult to treat surgically in animals the size of a giraffe.
Where did Shivani the giraffe come from?
Shivani was transferred to Bannerghatta Biological Park from the Mysuru Zoo in 2024 as part of inter-zoo wildlife management. She was aged three years and ten months at the time of her death.
What other animal deaths have occurred at Bannerghatta Biological Park recently?
Recent deaths at the park include three tiger cubs in July 2025, a pregnant zebra reportedly due to staff negligence, a zebra that died from capture myopathy in June 2025, a male leopard from lung failure in November 2025, seven leopard cubs from feline panleukopenia virus in September 2023, and over 15 deer from bacterial infection in 2023.
What action is being taken following Shivani's death?
Organ samples have been sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals Laboratory for detailed examination. Authorities are expected to release a full cause-of-death report once laboratory results are available.
