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Bakkar the Bengal tiger at Canberra's National Zoo dies aged 21





Last year, in February 2015, Bakkar the Bengal tiger was my companion for two nights. He was the perfect companion as I stayed in luxurious accomodations at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge in the grounds of Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium. My lodge bordered Bakkar’s enclosure so he could sleep next to my bed, with only a pane of glass separating us. He did not have to – he could do whatever he wanted. But whenever I entered the lodge he would come to keep me company. Each of the two nights he slept next to the window, on a bed of grass and leaves, cleaned daily by his keeper of 10 years.

The 21-year-old tiger was euthanized on Saturday 4 June 2016 due to declining health, the Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium said on Monday. Senior wildlife keeper, Renee Osterloh, said Bakkar stayed in his jungle bungalow den right up until his last day, and not in the infirmary section at the back of the zoo. He was alert, but his health failed rapidly overnight during the weekend, and the decision was made to put him to sleep.

Bakkar was born at Dreamworld in Queensland, with four siblings, and was transferred to the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo before living at the Canberra Zoo in December 1994, spending 11 years there. Bengal tigers can live up to 12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. He outived his brothers and sisters by many years.

Osterloh said he was known for his chuffing – saying hello – and his enjoyment of the company of people. I can confirm this. Bakkar chuffed a lot! He would chuff in the morning to say hello, and as I walked to the main lodge for meals he would meet me on the public viewing side of his enclosure as if to check that I was heading in the right direction, or to partake in a morning chat.

Bakkar was one of the most beautiful and amazing animals at the Canberra National Zoo and Aquarium and I’m glad to have known him briefly, and to have experienced his special personality and companionship.

I took these photographs of Bakkar 16 months ago.

















http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-national-zoo-and-aquariums-bakkar-the-bengal-tiger-dies-aged-21-20160606-gpd406.html


MARTINA NICOLLS is the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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