Killer tiger consumes food, struggles in zoo environment

Mysore, Mar 20 (UNI) The seven-year-old tiger that created terror in South Kodagu by killing cattle heads and later trapped by forest officials is now struggling to settle down in a new environment at the Mysore Zoo.

The big cat was brought to the city from Kodagu after a 120-km journey yesterday. In its struggle to break free, it had got itself injured. However, the agitated wild animal finally consumed food today.

Zoo Executive Director Vijay Ranjan Singh was a relieved man as the tiger, which had reacted violently after being put in a cage by hitting itself against the wall and losing a fang in the process, was more calm today.

"He ate twice today and is battling to settle down in the new environment. We are relived that despite being injured, the tiger is now doing okay. It is under severe stress as it had inflicted some wounds even before it had been caught, possibly fighting with another tiger," he told UNI.

The official said administering antibiotics had become a problem for the zoo vets.

He said the zoo had earlier treated a tiger belonging to Bandipur which was badly injured and had lost its limbs. "We successfully treated it and it is now rehabilitated in Bannerghatta wildlife sanctuary near Bangalore," he aid.

The tiger weighing more than 100 kgs was trapped in South Kodagu by forest officials on Monday and was brought to Mysore. Straying out from its habitat in Nagarhole National Park, it had created terror among villages by killed 32 cattle heads in villages.

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