As it was last male tiger at Sayaji Baug zoo, authorities look towards Sakkar Baug zoo for replacement

With the last of its male tigers —Gabbar— having died five months ago, the Sayaji Baug Zoo authorities have now asked for a male tiger from Sakkar Baug Zoo, Junagadh. Now left with three tigresses, Gabbar’s memories are still special as he was born in Sayaji Baug in captivity: something that has not been repeated so far in the Vadodara zoo. Of all those who remember him, the name of Pandurang Salunke finds special mention.

Fifty-year-old Salunke carries in his wallet, not the photograph of his sons or grandchildren, but of himself hugging a three-year-old Gabbar. “That’s my fourth son,” says the zoo keeper while pointing at the sepia toned photograph. Salunke now looks after the sloth bear and lion enclosures. He had joined the Sayaji Baug zoo 25 years ago.

Salunke never received any expert training. He was first introduced to the zoo after Gautam Gaekwad, a former zoo curator, had selected him. “My father used to work in parks and gardens, while I used to work as peon in a school. Then one fine day, Gaekwad picked me up,” he said.

Salunke lives in a hutment near the zoo premises, and like the others in the zoo, awaits the arrival of a new male tiger. But Gabbar’s memories are still dear to him. “I named him Gabbar. Even before he was born to Bora and Bano, I knew the cub is a male,” he said.

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