Injured Tiger with Severe Neck Wound Spotted in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
An adult tiger exhibiting a deep, circular wound around its neck has been observed near the diversion headwork of the Sharda Sagar dam's outlet canal within the Barahi forest range of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). This alarming sighting has raised significant concern among forest officials and wildlife experts, who are now mobilizing efforts to locate and assist the injured big cat.
Discovery and Initial Concerns
The matter came to public attention on Saturday after a photograph of the tiger, reportedly taken by tourists during a safari several days prior, began circulating widely on social media platforms. The image clearly shows the distressing injury, prompting immediate scrutiny from the forest department and wildlife veterinary specialists.
Wildlife veterinary experts have expressed suspicion that the injury may have been inflicted by a snare, which could potentially still be embedded in the tiger's neck tissues. This theory is supported by the nature of the wound, which appears consistent with ligature injuries caused by materials such as nylon rope, clutch wire, or galvanised iron wire.
Conflicting Theories and Expert Opinions
While forest officials initially suggested the wound might have resulted from a territorial fight with another male tiger, wildlife experts have largely dismissed this possibility. A wildlife veterinary scientist, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the injury's characteristics strongly indicate it was caused by a constricting wire or rope, likely from a poaching snare.
Another expert involved in rescue operations corroborated this view, pointing to the likelihood of a clutch wire snare being the culprit. The situation has been formally reported to the state's chief wildlife warden, Anuradha Vemuri, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
Context of Poaching Activity in the Region
This incident occurs against a backdrop of suspected poaching activity in and around the Barahi range. Recent events have heightened concerns:
- A sub-adult wild boar was shot dead inside the range on April 14.
- A four-year-old leopard, rescued from a nearby village after being caught in a metallic snare, died within 19 hours, likely due to capture myopathy.
Wildlife enthusiast Srajit Awasthi has warned that the possibility of a snare injury should not be taken lightly, highlighting ongoing poaching threats in the region that demand urgent attention and action.
Rescue Efforts and Current Status
Divisional forest officer Manish Singh provided an update on the situation, noting that the area is home to two adult tigers and two tigresses, including the injured individual. Despite the severe wound, the tiger continues to move, complicating rescue efforts.
"We have installed camera traps and deployed drones to track its movement for a potential rescue operation, but we have not been able to locate it so far," Singh stated. The use of advanced technology underscores the department's commitment to finding and aiding the tiger, though the animal's mobility presents a significant challenge.
The forest department remains on high alert, coordinating with veterinary experts to prepare for a rescue mission as soon as the tiger is located. The priority is to assess the injury, remove any embedded materials, and provide necessary medical treatment to ensure the tiger's survival and recovery.
