Babita, a female Bengal tiger at the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. Babita was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, which affects the mesothelial lining surrounding the internal organs, several months ago. However, only palliative care was being provided until now owing to the lack of established treatment protocols for the disease.

Surgical removal was ruled out since the cancer is diffuse or spread out, rather than a solid tumour. The diagnosis was made following a detailed clinical evaluation led by zoo’s veterinary surgeon Nikesh Kiran after Babita developed severe ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen) and loss of appetite.

The diagnosis was confirmed by a multidisciplinary team comprising Sachin Manoj, Jayakrishnan Narayanan, and Aiswarya Vijay, doctors at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Kudappanakkunnu; Harish C. from the State Animal Disease Institute, Palode; and Devi S.S., assistant professor at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

Previous reports from North Carolina State University, U.S., have documented the use of chemotherapy for a similar cancer in domestic cats, where treatment extended survival by approximately four months. However, as Babita’s condition deteriorated significantly recently, the veterinary team decided to initiate chemotherapy.

Carboplatin has been chosen as the chemotherapeutic agent for Babita’s treatment. She will be given at least three doses of the drug, once every three weeks. Babita was captured by the Kerala Forest department in March 2024 from the South Wayanad Forest Division after repeated incidents of human-wildlife conflict in residential areas. She was subsequently relocated to the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo for rehabilitation.

Published - July 21, 2026 07:21 pm IST