Wounded Corbett tigress spotted

Story/place-Corbett.
January 15, 2011 12:21:30 PM

The wounded Corbett National Park tigress was sighted again on Thursday. As it is still bleeding, it has therefore moved towards hilly terrain.

Five teams, including those mounted on two elephants, are continuing the search for the injured feline in Corbett National Park. Park deputy director CK Kavidayal told The Pioneer that the animal was last seen on Thursday near the area in Sarpduli range where she made her last kill but has since moved towards hilly terrain.

Member secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority Rajesh Gopal, who has arrived in the national park, is monitoring the tracking operation along with State chief wildlife warden Shrikant Chandola. Gopal is observing the situation and is expected to discuss the same with higher authorities in order to facilitate efforts to relocate villagers from the Sunderkhal area in order to provide a long-term solution to the man-animal conflict in the region.

Two machans were erected near the site of the last kill by the tigress and when it returned to claim its kill, eight bullets were fired by department personnel and hunters deputed on the task of terminating the feline.

The first of these bullets hit the feline in the middle of its flank after which it escaped from the site. Since then the feline has been moving around in the same area with the departmental teams undertaking the task during daylight hours to track the injured tigress. According to Kavidayal, two elephants are being used in the tracking operation. Another elephant will also be brought in for the operation.

Kavidayal said a strong and healthy tiger can recover from a single bullet injury and continue to cover considerable distances in an injured state by dint of stamina and high endurance. Meanwhile, NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal, who is also in the national park, is monitoring the situation along with the State chief wildlife warden.

Earlier, the Corbett administration had pressed into service sniffer dogs to locate the tigress. But they too could not trace her.

source-dailypioneer.com
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