“Shiva was the pride of this zoo and a magnificent animal. No matter what animal or rhino they bring in his place, he can never be replaced,” said a sobbing Ravindra Nivate, the zookeeper who looked after Shiva, the rhinoceros, for the last 27 years.

animal instinct: 34-year-old Shiva, the rhinoceros who for the past 28 years has lived at the Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan, Byculla, in solitary confinement, entered his transportation cage at 11 am, bringing his caretakers Ravindra Nivate (below) and Ramesh Pawar to tears. Pic/Datta Kumbhar