JOIN USThe man-eater tiger, captured recently at Chikkabargi near Bandipur Tiger Reserve in H D Kote taluk of Mysore district and christened Shiva, is likely to be shifted to Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) here within a few weeks.
According to forest department officials, Mysore zoo, where the tiger is being treated at present, does not have adequate space to house the wild beast. So he will be shifted to Bangalore once his health improves. The official added that the date of bringing Shiva to BBP was not decided yet because Mysore zoo authorities were keen to allow him to mate with his in-house females to introduce a new gene.
“We are considering housing the beast in Maasti’s enclosure which is under the care of BBP’s Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC). This area is not open for public viewing and the carnivore will be fine here. Since he has tasted human blood it is risky to include him in the tiger safari,” the official said.
Maasti was a wild tiger rescued from a jaw trap in Maastigudi of Kabini forests near Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in 2002. He was immediately shifted to Mysore zoo for treatment where his left forepaw was amputated. In 2005, he was shifted to BBRC for treatment and rest. The Born Free Foundation took the responsibility of taking care of him in 2007.
The 117-kg carnivore used to stay in a 200x1,000-foot crawl area and was kept away from human beings. He died on November 21, 2013.