Bhunti, the female tiger that lived along with her son and two other male tigers kept for exhibition to public died a natural death due to its old age four days ago, said Sarita Gyawali, chief at the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel. Bhunti was the only female among four tigers kept in zoo.

According to Gyanwali, Bhunti was a man-eater brought from Chitwan National Park in 1994. “With the death of the only female tiger inside the zoo, the reproductive cycle would be affected. But we will seek a female tiger as soon as we complete reconstruction,” she added.

Currently, the zoo administration is busy constructing new infrastructures. “It will take around four months to complete all the reconstruction and maintenance activities. And with the completion, we will soon try getting a new female tiger,” Gyawali said.

Established in 1932 by Juddha Sumsher Rana for his private leisure, the zoo came under the government in 1951 and was subsequently opened to the public. It now has 57 species of birds, 34 mammals, 10 reptiles and 14 species of fish.