A six-year-old tiger living at the Wildlife Research and Training Centre in Gorewada, Nagpur, could soon undergo an extraordinary dental procedure. A team of visiting Israeli dentists has volunteered to perform what might be a first-of-its-kind dental implant for the big cat. This initiative represents a groundbreaking international partnership in the field of wildlife dentistry.
How the Unique Proposal Came About
The remarkable offer emerged last week. A delegation of Israeli dentists visited Nagpur to attend an international dental conference. During their stay, they toured the Transit Treatment Centre located at Seminary Hills. There, they met with the centre's dedicated medical and conservation teams.
The delegation included Dr. Yaniv Mayer and Dr. Eyal Milman. Staff briefed them on the TTC's vital work in treating and rehabilitating rescued wild animals. In the course of discussions, the dentists learned about a specific tiger with a serious dental problem. One of its teeth was badly damaged and required specialized care.
The Tiger's Journey to Gorewada
This particular tiger has a difficult history. It accidentally fell into a farm well in Khapa, near Nagpur. During that traumatic incident, the animal broke one of its teeth. Rescue teams from the Transit Treatment Centre saved the tiger and brought it to their Seminary Hills facility.
As is standard procedure, animals needing longer-term care are transferred to the Wildlife Research and Training Centre at Gorewada. This tiger was moved there to continue its recovery before a potential future release back into the wild.
Volunteers Step Forward to Cover Costs
The Israeli dental team was deeply impressed by what they saw at the TTC. The advanced infrastructure, high standard of veterinary care, and the staff's clear dedication left a strong positive impression. Moved by the centre's mission, the dentists made a generous voluntary offer.
They proposed to carry out the complex dental implant procedure for the tiger. Furthermore, they volunteered to bear the entire cost of the operation. The implantation will be a joint effort, performed by the visiting Israeli experts working alongside the TTC's own veterinary team.
A Sign of Growing Global Interest
Wildlife activist and TTC coordinator Kundan Hate sees this as a significant development. He stated that the offer reflects a growing international interest in the centre's pioneering work. It also opens exciting new avenues for advancing wildlife healthcare through global collaboration and shared expertise.
Hate explained that the dentists were particularly impressed by the TTC's track record. They noted previous successful medical interventions, including a complex blood transfusion performed on a tiger. That earlier procedure had already drawn considerable attention within international conservation circles.
Planning a Collaborative Procedure
The medical discussions at the TTC involved several key professionals. Veterinary doctors Dr. Priyal Chouragade and Dr. Rajesh Fulsunge participated. Local Nagpur-based dentists Dr. Tushar Shrirao and Dr. Pankaj Waindeshkar were also present. These experts will all be part of the collaborative planning process for the tiger's upcoming procedure.
Nagpur's History with Pioneering Wildlife Surgery
This is not Nagpur's first experience with experimental wildlife surgery. The city was previously at the centre of global attention in 2019. A male tiger named Sahebrao, also at the Gorewada facility, underwent a pioneering attempt to fit a prosthetic limb.
The tiger had lost a paw to a poacher's trap. Renowned surgeon Dr. Sushrut Babhulkar performed the complex surgery, which was medically successful. Unfortunately, the tiger later managed to dislodge the artificial limb. This complication ultimately forced the medical team to abandon that particular effort, though valuable lessons were learned.
The proposed dental implant now represents another bold step forward. It highlights Nagpur's ongoing role as a hub for innovative and compassionate wildlife medical care.
