“A three-hour-long operation to remove the cancerous tumour on Rebecca’s face was conducted on Tuesday with the help of four doctors, part of the advisory committee of doctors to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park,” said SGNP Veterinary Officer Sanjiv Pinjarkar, about a surgery on the white tigress.

The surgery has given the 19-year-old ailing white tigress a new lease of life. Confirming that Rebecca is responding positively to post-surgery treatment, park authorities said she would be administered steroids and various medications in the coming weeks for a speedy recovery.