Captured killer tiger hurt, brought to Mysore Zoo

Mysore, Mar 19 (UNI) A tiger which terrorised people of South Kodagu district killing a number of cattle was brought to the Mysore Zoo today after it was captured by Forest officials.

The big cat killed 32 heads of cattle in the South Kodagu villages in the last three months before it was trapped on Monday night.

Mysore Zoo Executive Director Vijay Ranjan Singh told UNI that the tiger, aged between seven to eight years and weighing more than 100 kg, suffered injuries and bruises and some of its nails were missing.

Having spent nearly 24 hours in the cage withstanding the rigour of 120 km-long road travel from Kodagu, the big cat was exhausted.

It is possible the tiger had a fight with another in the forest and suffered further injuries while resisting capture, the ED said.

The animal refused food and its continuous roar reverberated the sprawling zoo premises.

After it was released into a bigger cage in the zoo, it started hitting itself against the walls and lost one of its teeth, he said.

''Our first priority is to save this tiger. We have administered antibiotics and will observe the animal for the next 24 hours before taking the next decision,'' Mr Singh said.

According to Mr K Manu of Mysore Amateur Naturalists it will be difficult to release the wild beast back into the forests after it had seen people from so near and tasted the flesh of tame animals.

''It had protested violently against its capture. If it is taken back to the forest, it may attack any living thing which it comes across and create further trouble.

''It is unfortunate such a beautiful animal is now caught and has to live in captivity. But is also very dangerous to leave it back in the wild,'' he opined.

UNI BSP RS SW AS1824