Kolkata, Sep 11 (NationPress) The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of West Bengal has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the untimely deaths of two adult tigresses at the renowned Alipore Zoological Garden in South Kolkata.

The unfortunate demise of the two tigresses occurred within a mere 24-hour timeframe, specifically during the nights of Tuesday and Wednesday.

While the state forest department has officially attributed the cause of death to natural aging, skepticism arises due to the proximity of the two incidents, leading many wildlife enthusiasts to suspect that the circumstances may not be entirely natural.

In light of the growing controversy, the CWLW has mandated a thorough inquiry and established a dedicated committee for an in-depth investigation.

The tigresses in question were named Payel and Rupa, with Rupa being an albino. Payel succumbed first on Tuesday night, followed by Rupa on Wednesday night. At the time of their passing, Rupa was 21 years old, while Payel was 17.

“The remains of the tigresses have been dispatched for autopsy to ascertain the precise reasons behind their deaths. Additionally, visceral examinations will be performed,” stated a senior official from the state forest department.

Payel was relocated to Alipore Zoo from Nandankanan in Odisha back in 2016. According to an insider, she had been grappling with age-related health issues for several months, leading to irregularities in her food consumption.

“She underwent an ultrasound and received treatment for a time. Although she initially responded well, her health began to decline in recent days, culminating in her death on Tuesday,” the insider revealed.

Conversely, Rupa, the albino tigress, was born at the Alipore Zoo, with her parents being Krishna and Anirban. “She too faced age-related health challenges, including paralysis in one leg several months ago,” the insider added.

The Alipore Zoo has faced scrutiny in recent months for two significant reasons.

Firstly, there were allegations regarding the mysterious disappearance of animals, with reports indicating that up to 321 animals vanished from the zoo overnight.

Secondly, accusations arose that the West Bengal government was unlawfully attempting to sell portions of the Alipore Zoo land to private entities at significantly reduced prices. Last month, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court decreed that the zoo land cannot be utilized for commercial activities until further notice.

The claim of illegal land sales was initially voiced by the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who alleged that there were moves to sell 50 kothas of prime city land for merely Rs 1,000 crore.