Zeenat on drip, waits for ‘fit certificate’ from Alipore zoo vets to go back home
Times of India | 30 December 2024
123 Kolkata: A day after Similipal tigress Zeenat was captured in Bankura and transported to Alipore zoo, the state has formed a medical team to monitor the three-year-old big cat.
On Monday evening, the tigress, weighing over 136 kg, was transferred to a squeeze cage for collection of its specimens like blood and stool for analysis. Following its arrival at the zoo around 12.15 am on Monday, it was kept inside the smart cage of Odisha forest department in which it was transported from Bankura to Kolkata.
Chief wildlife warden Debal Roy indicated that according to initial reports, the tiger was healthy. "We are doing intravenous hydration for the tigress. We had offered her chicken bit it didn't have it," he said, adding that only vets are approaching it.
Asked about a potential date for its return to Similipal, where it was relocated from Maharashtra's Tadoba under a translocation programme, Roy said: "We can't say it now."
Sources said Zeenat can return home only after ‘fit certificate' from vets.
Meanwhile, a senior official explained that its blood and stool specimens will be examined to detect presence of viruses or parasites, as it has dwelt in human-dominated terrain and consumed domestic livestock such as goats and buffaloes.
"Sunday's operation was taxing. Transferring it to a squeeze cage for these examinations will also be stressful. Hence, it requires rest initially. It's perfectly healthy and upon reaching the zoo early on Monday it even roared," he added.
Similipal Tiger Reserve field director Prakash Gogineni said: "We have sent a letter to Bengal CWLW requesting authorisation for Zeenat's transfer to Similipal. Veterinarians have physically assessed it. The tigress remains inside the smart cage that is exceptionally robust and provides adequate ventilation. It is perfectly healthy."
The medical board comprises Proloy Mandal, assistant director, animal resources development dept and two veterinarians from Alipore zoo.