JOIN USMost wild tigers, when captured and held in captivity, exhibit ferocity and aggression for several days.
But that is not the case with Shiva, the man-eater tiger captured by the Forest Department on Thursday. Shiva, who has spent three nights and two days in the Mysore Zoo, has instead been exhibiting some peculiar behaviour. Except for struggling in his cage during nights (in an attempt to escape), the tiger has otherwise been completely sedate during the day. Though the animal is consuming food and water, he looks very weak and dull.
The tiger is said to be suffering from severe bacterial infection and running a fever, is also depressed. Blood samples collected from Shiva show that the count of white blood cells (WBC) is way higher than the normal range. The WBC count in Shiva as on Thursday night was 31,500. The normal range is 7,000 to 15,000.
The maggots found in the wounds on the tiger’s body have been removed. However, it is yet to be ascertained whether the infection is systemic or localised, and his prognosis has been guarded.
Currently, high doses of antibiotics are being administered on the animal.