The Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), just opposite the Visakhapatnam Zoo has reportedly witnessed the death of a lion and a tiger within just three days. 

The centre plays host to several old animals who were rescued from places like circuses.

The deceased tiger has been identified as Vasu, while the lion was called Ramu. 

Speaking to Sumit Kumar Onka of the Deccan Chronicle, zoo curator B Vijaya Kumar said, “Vasu rescued from Famous Circus and Ramu from Prabhat Circus were brought to the centre in 2002 and 2004 respectively. They outlived and completed fullest of life span and died a natural death. The life span of the carnivores in wild is from 12 to 16 years. As they were in the rescue centre and were under care with regular health monitoring, they could live more years than average life span."

The ARC was first proposed, to convert the 30 hectares of land opposite the zoo, into a centre for rescued circus animals.

Last year, the centre, which hosted several lions and tigers, received an in-principle sanction of $7 million by the World Bank for the zoo and the ARC.

There are also plans to convert the ARC into a wildlife safari.