Although the Masinagudi tiger (formally known as MDT-23) was tranquillized and captured by the State Forest Department, the absence of an advanced facility for animal rescue and rehabilitation in the area was keenly felt, which may potentially reduce the tiger’s chances of surviving the ordeal.
Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu told TNIE that the tiger’s condition was stable and that “we gave him medicines and put him on drips before taking him to the ‘closest’ rescue centre at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden in Karnataka’s Mysore.”
The tiger’s initial medical checkup revealed that he was suffering from 8–9 wounds, of which 3–4 were brand new and likely resulted from a territorial dispute. None of the wounds were life-threatening, according to Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj, but the large cat was weak since it wasn’t getting enough food and drink. “The first few days of treatment will be very important.”
The State government should speed the forest department’s proposal to construct specialised wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres, according to some of the field personnel TNIE spoke with. Four rescue centres in the State have received approval from the government, but wildlife specialists advise the government to give the project priority and provide cash as soon as possible.
The animals receive individualised care and have a better chance of surviving, according to N Sadiq Ali, the founder of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust in Nilgiris. Wild animal rescues are most prevalent in the Mudumalai, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Anamalai, and Sathyamangalam regions.
Rescued animals are currently treated, monitored, and released scientifically while being rehabilitated inside of squeeze cages. A senior forest official stated that a permanent full-fledged modern facility at Coimbatore division can prove beneficial in the successful rescue, rehabilitation, and release of wild animals in distress. The temporary rehabilitation of these animals may take anywhere from a few days to months for complete recovery.
According to the forest department’s plan, Chennai is one of the exit points for the illicit wildlife trafficking into South-East Asia and other regions of the world, making northern Tamil Nadu another epicentre of wildlife trading.
“Various law enforcement agencies, such as customs, the DRI, and the police frequently seize wild animals during odd hours and seek out rapid aid from the forest department for animal rescue and care. To accommodate the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in northern Tamil Nadu districts like Chennai, Chenglepattu, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram, the existing rescue centre at Vandalur can be upgraded and brought under the purview of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation “The suggestion states.
The official stated that the goal is to provide the necessary housing, maintenance, and medical care for distressed wild animals and to support scientific quarantine, rehabilitation, and release of wild animals in their natural habitats. The official also stated that seized or imported animals must be placed in a mandatory quarantine under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian in order to prevent the spread of pathogens.
the state of Tiger
A 20 ML dose of sedative was darted into the animal at 1:45 PM. After being captured, the animal had four hours of veterinary care. 90% of its health metrics, according to Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Neeraj, are within normal range.
“The four canine teeth are all there and the paws appear to be healthy. It’s possible that the tiger lost the agility, speed, and strength necessary to pursue game in the wild because it started wandering into the adjacent towns in search of simple food.” According to the official, samples of DNA, blood, and hair were taken and forwarded to Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for clinical evaluation.
Neeraj added that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) have granted permission for the translocation of the animal to the Mysore Zoo.
Sangeeta Dogra, the director of the NGO Red Lynx Confederation in Delhi, asserted that the entire operation was unlawful. “Before October 14, they lacked authority. I have RTIs as evidence. I’ll file a lawsuit in court to protest the hunt order and advocate for MDT-23’s release. The tiger was seized as a result of human fatalities, which is illegal and necessitates an investigation under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code. No judgments may be formed prior to the conclusion of the investigation.”
