Thrissur: The male tiger Rishiraj, one of the most prominent residents and crowd-pullers of the Thrissur State Museum Zoo, passed away last night (November 22) after months of intensive care.

The tiger was estimated to be around 25 years old, a very advanced age for its species. He had been given special medical attention and supportive care for approximately three months due to several age-related health problems, zoo officials said.

During this period, he became completely immobile and ceased taking food on his own, so caretakers were administering food by placing it directly in his mouth.

Rishiraj was originally captured in 2015 from Kattikulam in Wayanad when he was about 15 years old. His age was later estimated by zoo veterinarians through examination of his dental condition, body

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