Rescued Sundarbans tigress showing signs of recovery

The injured tigress, trapped in a snare set by deer poachers in the Sundarbans and later rescued, is now under observation at the Forest Department's Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Khulna. Officials said the tigress has started drinking water, eating food, and is roaring, but cautioned she is not yet fully out of danger.

Khulna Regional Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed said at a press conference today that the tigress was rescued on January 4 from the Chandpai Range area of Sundarbans East Forest Division.

"At the time of rescue, the tigress was in an extremely weak condition. Since treatment began, her condition has been gradually improving. She has started drinking water and eating food -- showing signs of natural wild agility," he said.

A specialist veterinary team led by Prof Dr Md Abu Hadi Noor Ali Khan of Bangladesh Agricultural University arrived from Dhaka on Tuesday night and conducted a detailed examination this morning.

Ahmed said the tigress's front left leg was injured by the snare, but doctors believe no bone was fractured based on her movement, which is an encouraging sign.

"The veterinarians are hopeful that the tigress will recover within a short time and be able to return to the forest. However, as the wound is currently in the healing stage, human presence could increase the risk of infection," he said.

Dr Nazmul Hoda, additional veterinary officer of the Central Veterinary Hospital in Dhaka, said the skin, muscles, and veins of the front left leg had been cut.

"It cannot yet be confirmed whether the injury has reached the bone. However, the positive sign is that she is able to place the leg on the ground," he said.

He added that the tigress cannot be released unless fully fit, as Royal Bengal tigers hunt alone. She is currently suffering from pain and inflammation, dehydration, and muscle weakness. An initial 10-day treatment course has been prescribed.

The tigress was tranquillised on Sunday afternoon after four attempts and transported to Khulna in an iron cage. She regained consciousness within one and a half to two hours.

Professor Khan said the tigress is estimated to be slightly over four years old. She consumed around one kilogram of meat on Monday and about two kilograms on Tuesday.

"However, she is not being given a large quantity of meat at once, as medicines are being mixed with the food. The tigress has shown aggression by roaring. Although she is not yet fully out of danger, her condition is gradually improving," he said.

Forest officials believe the tigress was caught in a trap set for deer hunting on Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Ahmed said curious onlookers gathering during the rescue operation and recording videos hampered efforts. An investigation has been launched to identify those who set the snare, and legal action will be taken against those obstructing the rescue operation.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division Nirmal Kumar Pal, Professor Md Golam Haider of Gazipur Agricultural University, and Chief Scientific Officer of the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL), Dhaka, Dr Md Golam Azam Chowdhury, were present, among others, at the press conference.