Although Corbett Tiger Reserve officials managed to administer medical aid to seriously injured elderly tiger at its natural habitat without trapping it but they are not sure if the big cat will be able to live. It can hardly walk, lost whole set of incisors and sustained severe injuries on left fore limb besides blurred vision in left eye.
Constant monitoring by forest officials them and veterinary experts tracked the ailing tiger and administer medication after immobilising the wild cat at Ringoda grassland of Bijrani Forest range in Corbett. It was first spotted in this region on Monday. This is for the first time here that a tiger was medicated without trapping it.
However going by its condition reserve officials are not very sure if the tiger will be alive for too long. They are keeping close watch on tiger's condition with severe injuries venturing into Bijrani Range for the past three days. The tiger was again spotted by the foresters about 8.30 am on Tuesday.
A team of forest officials led by Corbett director RK Mishra and veterinary doctors examined the tiger. It was under excessive pain and starving for couple of days and was not in position to make kill. It was revealed from close examination that, the tiger had blurred left eye and complete set of incisors in lower jaw was missing.
"Its canines were deep yellow and had worn-out impressions. The injured left leg had swelling and there was no trace of open injury or bloodstains. We came to the conclusion that the tiger crossed its prime many years ago and now struggling for its existence" informed Mishra.
However, Corbett director was not sure how long the elderly big cat will live despite efforts by Corbett staff and veterinarians. On second day "the doctor administered a dose of multivitamin and painkiller in a beef lever. It showed marked improvement on its limb and gait. It was decided not to disturb the tiger for a day, as too much proximity will be detrimental to its normal movement and behaviour. Tourists were also restricted in going towards that area," informed Mishra adding that tiger condition was being monitoring constantly.
Mishra however stated in a message to the state chief wildlife warden that tranquillisation and trapping of tiger for medical treatment was ruled out owing to its age and condition. "The lame tiger was too old and we keep out fingers crossed for a bad news said Mishra in letter his senior.
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