Viral: Patna Zoo under fire after video of ‘malnourished’ white tiger surfaces, PETA calls for action

A white tiger in Patna has suddenly become the centre of a big conversation online. And it all started with a short video.Visitors at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, better known as Patna Zoo, recorded a clip of the tiger and shared it on social media.

In the video, the animal is seen standing still for a long time.

That one moment was enough to worry people. Many felt the tiger looked weak and uncomfortable.Within a few hours, the video was everywhere. And so were the questions.

A simple video, big concerns

In the clip, the white tiger appears motionless for stretches of time. For some viewers, it didn’t look normal. People began asking if the tiger was unwell. Was it getting enough food? Was it receiving proper medical care? Was it mentally okay inside the enclosure?Some even started guessing that the tiger might be sick or malnourished, based only on what they saw in the short video.What began as just another zoo video quickly turned into a serious discussion about animal care and life inside zoos.

PETA India steps in

As the debate grew louder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India, commonly known as PETA India, also reacted.The group urged zoo authorities to move the white tiger to a sanctuary. According to PETA, the animal could be showing signs of zoochosis – a psychological condition that animals can develop due to long periods of confinement.

“We request Patna Zoo to rehabilitate this tiger to a sanctuary where the zoochosis (psychological condition from intense confinement) can ease and body condition can hopefully improve,” PETA wrote.

Strong emotions online

The video clearly struck a nerve.One user wrote, "He needs food. He needs his habitat. He needs to be safe. What's truly disheartening is that this no longer surprises us..."Another commented, "This is heartbreaking; white tigers deserve care, not neglect."A third said, "My heart breaks for this poor creature. Animals like these should be in sanctuaries, not soulless zoos.""I don't really like the concept of zoo. It's a very small place for an animal to live. The national park kind of concept is much better atleast they can roam around freelly," added a fourth.The reactions show that for many people, this is not just about one tiger. It is about how wild animals are treated in captivity.Disclaimer: This story is based on a video circulating on social media and reactions shared online. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the video.Thumb image: X