Wayanad man-eater tiger critically injured, poses a challenge to vets: Report

Ollur: Serious concerns are being raised over the health conditions of the man-eating tiger in Wayanad which has been now shifted to the Puthur Zoological Park. It should be noted that officials had brought the predator to the park after facing a lot of difficulties since the locals in the area where it was trapped wanted the big cat shot dead.

Dr Shyam Venugopal, surgeon at the Mannuthy Veterinary University took stock of the situation. After observing the tiger, the doctor said that the animal had sustained critical injuries on its face and body. The doctor opined that the big cat in bad shape would have decided to venture into human settlements for prey, owing to its inability to put up with other animals in the wild. He also said that the tiger would have ended up injuring its face, mouth, teeth, and jaw in its fights with other animals in the jungle. Strengthening his claims, zoological park director R Keerthy said that the protection of the tiger is a challenging task. Reportedly, an infection has spread on the tiger’s face owing to the injuries sustained. 

The predator has supposedly crossed 13 years of age and weighs over 200 kilograms. Preventive vaccines were administered to the man-eater upon its arrival in Puthur yesterday morning. 

The big cat was fed four kilograms of chicken before it was brought from Wayanad. Since then it has not eaten anything. Nevertheless, the tiger will be given food two times, such that it will have eight kilograms of meat per day. 

Upon examination, the injury on the tiger's face was found to be eight centimetres deep. Adequate treatment will be provided to the carnivore by a team of medics from the surgery department at the veterinary university. They are scheduled to arrive on Thursday. It is known that considering the situation, the chief wild officer has given permission to sedate the animal while offering treatment. 

As of now, the animal is finding it difficult to even eat food owing to the injuries. The tiger that killed a man in Wayanad village earlier this month was caught on Monday noon after days of efforts.

Antibiotics will be administered to the animal. A field station of the veterinary university is operational in Puthur Park.

Six months ago, the officials at the place had successfully managed to save the life of an infant leopard.  At the moment, the public is not allowed to see the tiger.