Injured tigress rescued from poachers roaring back to health, regains agility

An adult tigress rescued from a poacher's trap in the Sundarbans is making a steady recovery following 42 days of intensive medical care. 

Although the animal has regained much of its natural agility and predatory instincts, wildlife officials at the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Centre in Khulna have confirmed today (15 February) that it is not yet ready to be released back into the wild. 

Imran Ahmed, forest conservator of the Khulna region, said the tigress is largely healthy and has been roaring regularly. "She will only be released into the Sundarbans once she achieves complete recovery," he added.  

"Releasing her prematurely could pose risks. Her leg wounds are now healing, and her mobility is returning to normal."

Veterinary surgeon Sazzad Md Zulkarnain of Gazipur Safari Park has been overseeing her treatment. At the start of care, he told The Business Standard that the tigress was suffering from restricted blood circulation in her left leg, causing nerve and muscle damage. 

Trapped tiger rescued from poachers' snare in Sundarbans

In addition, her natural body defence mechanisms were impaired. Electrolyte imbalances, including calcium and potassium deficiencies, had affected the functioning of her respiratory muscles.

On the afternoon of 3 January, Sundarbans officials received reports that a tiger had been caught in a deer trap near Joymoni Shorkir Khal in the Chandpai Range. A team of experts from Dhaka arrived at the site on the afternoon of 4 January, sedated the tigress, and freed her from the trap.

She was then transported that night to the Khulna Rescue Centre, where treatment began immediately. 

On 6 January, the expert team from Dhaka arrived in Khulna to monitor her overall condition and oversee the treatment plan.