Nagpur: Tiger that mauled 5 dies due to ‘septicaemia’

NAGPUR: Problem tiger KT-1, which was responsible for killing five people in Kolara range in buffer zone of Tadoba, died on Monday at Gorewada Rescue Centre. Another tigress having barbed wire injuries to its neck was shifted to the centre from Nagbhid.
The death of KT-1 is suspected to be due to septicaemia. The sudden death of healthy sub-adult tiger took forest officials and wildlife buffs by surprise.As no injury was visible, initially officials thought it must be a snake bite.
However, veterinarians say septicaemia is a serious bloodstream infection. It is also known as blood poisoning that occurs when a bacterial infection elsewhere in the body such as lungs or skin enters bloodstream.
“KT-1 must have died due to injury caused after darting. There was around 16cm abscess in the thigh region where the dart had hit. The vets removed half litre of pus from the spot where injury was,” sources said.
TATR field director NR Praveen said, “The tiger was absolutely fine when captured on June 10 and shifted to Gorewada the next day. I’m really surprised hearing about its death.”
FDCM divisional manager Nandkishire Kale said after the tiger was brought to Gorewada it was quarantined. The tiger showed poor appetite since arrival and was under observation of Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC) team but was alert and active.
In the early hours of Monday, KT-1 appeared in distress and hence veterinarians were called but the big cat showed no sign of recovery and died at 7am. The post-mortem was performed by Dr Madhuri Hedau in the presence of Dr Shirish Upadhye, Dr Mayur Pawshe, Dr Kolangath Sujit, NTCA’s Hemant Kamdi and Kundan Hate.
In another development, an 8-year-old tigress that had entered a house in Nagbhid on Sunday evening was tranquillized and shifted to Gorewada. It too is reported to be critical.
“The tigress is weak and has a barbed wire fence injury to its neck. There were hundreds of ticks on her body and her canine teeth have worn out and broken,” said Gorewada officials.
Chandrapur chief conservator (CCF) SV Ramarao said, “The tigress had injury in its neck. After medical examination, it was transferred to Gorewada as it was unfit for re-release."