Slight improvement in condition of two tigers at Bannerghatta

"There is slight improvement in the condition of two tigers -- seven year-old Arya and Minchu (4) -- which have been suffering from severe bacterial infection for the past four days," Chief Wild Life Warden B K Singh said.

Singh said there is a drop in creatinine levels of Minchu which developed renal problems due to the infection. "The blood parameters of Arya which developed lung infection improved today though outwardly Arya appears dull," he said.

The official said the condition of two of the eight wild cats affected with bacterial infection was serious. They have been kept in separate encloures and are being administered antibiotics intravenously by doctors who are monitoring their condition round the clock. Admitting that park officers had failed to check stale meat fed to the cats 20 days ago, which had brought about the infection, he said excellent quality meat is now being fed to all 150 tigers and lions in the park.

Singh said blood and stool samples of the wild cats which are not infected would be sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biolgicals for analysis.