A wild tiger in an emaciated condition was rescued from the outskirts of Sollepura Reserve Forests in H.D. Kote and shifted to the animal rescue centre at Koorgalli on the outskirts of the city on Thursday.
The Forest Department staff received a call from the locals of Basavanapurahaadi that a tiger was lying still and was not moving following which the department staff moved in and waited from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. but found the tiger still. Sensing that something was wrong with the animal they sought permission from the PCCF Wildlife and tranquilised it. When the dart hit the tiger it limped for some time and mustered enough strength to run for about 150 meters after which it fell unconscious. The tiger was shifted to the Chamundi Animal Conservation, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for treatment.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Karikalan told The Hindu that the tiger was a sub-adult and a male and was most probably injured in a territorial fight with another male. “The tiger appeared weak for its age and apparently it had not eaten for some time. There was not much of a movement in its right limb while the face and chest portion bore injuries. However, the claws and teeth were strong and intact”, he added.
The animal will be under observation for a few days before the veterinarians and the officials take a final call on the next course of action. This is the first tiger to be brought to the animal centre after its inauguration on February 20. Animals rescued from the wild were normally shifted to the zoo but the centre which is spread over 113 acres, was established in view of the space constraints at the Mysuru zoo.
