Timely action saves life of a full grown tigress

Bhubaneswar, Apr 02 (UNI) Timely action by the forest staff and a team of veterinary surgeons from the Nandankanan Zoo has saved a tigress, shot by poachers at Purunakote Reserve forest of Satkosia Tiger Reserve.

Nandankanan Zoo Director Ajit Pattnaik here said the full grown tigress, about 6-7 years, was brought to Nandankanan for necessary treatment by experts last night.

The injured tigress was spotted by the staff of Astoria Wildlife Division, Angul, inside the sanctuary near a stream on March 31.

A team of doctors along with the veterinary staff rushed to the spot and successfully sedated the animal and provided preliminary treatment.

Mr Pattnaik said nine pellet injuries were observed on its hind legs and at shoulder region. A team of expert from Orissa Veterinary College, Bhubaneswar, who examined the animal found seven pellet injuries on the right and left hind leg and two injuries on both sides of the shoulders near neck region.

He said the tigress was keeping a good health but the only concern was that the hind legs were not moving due to the injuries.

The animal, Mr Pattnaik said, would be kept under antibiotic cover for next five days and under observation by the senior veterinary surgeons of Orissa Veterinary College.

A report from Angul said the seriously injured tiger was rescued immediately by the anti-Poaching squad patrolling in the forest.

According to Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary Divisional Forest officer Susanta Nanda when the anti-poaching squad heard gun sound, they immediately challenged the four member poacher's gang but the later managed to escape.

He, however, said all the culprits had been identified and efforts were on to nab them.

UNI