Permission sought to tranquilise, treat injured Bandhavgarh tigress

A tigress who sustained neck wounds while attempting to free herself from a trap set up by poachers in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is being tracked by forest officials for the past three days to treat her injuries.

Reserve Field Director Mridul Pathak said they have sought permission from the Madhya Pradesh Chief Wildlife Warden to tranquilise the tigress for treatment.

"Her wounds could get infected, which is a matter of concern. We have now asked for permission to tranquilise and treat the animal," Pathak, who has handled such situations earlier also, told IANS.

According to villagers living in Dhamokhar range of the reserve, the tigress remained stuck in the trap for two days. The roars of the trapped animal scared people living in the buffer area.

The forest official said the tigress finally managed to set herself free and was spotted in an injured state on June 18.

Pathak said the tigress had, however, made a kill in the last three days and was feeding well, though her movement is restricted to the reserve's buffer zone.

"Since the tigress is very shy, it is very hard to keep track of her movements," the official said.

--IANS

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