Injured Bandipur tiger dies on way to Bannerghatta

The ailing adult male tiger which was found in Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) and was being shifted to Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) on Thursday, died at 2.30 am during the course of relocation.

The injured tiger was found in Moleyar range, a core area in BTR. It was growling in pain and was immobile. “After obtaining permission of the chief wildlife warden, it was decided to shift the animal to BBP for treatment,” said T Heeralal, Director, BTR.

The BBP had made plans to treat and house the animal in the safari area. However, the animal died on its way to the park while traveling a distance of 225 km.

Dr Sujay Suresh, the BBP veterinarian, said that according to post mortem report, the carnivore, which was aged around 8, died due to severe external and internal injuries in its lungs and kidney. Darting and tranquilizer dosage did not cause the death, he added.

While the forest staff maintained that the carnivore died in a fight with a gaur and had been suffering for the past four to five days, the veterinarians are of the opinion that it could be because of a fight with a tiger.