Nagpur: An adult male tiger was injured in a hit-and-run accident on NH-44 (earlier NH-7) on Saturday morning in Karwai village near Deolapar, about 70kms from her. The tiger was rescued and shifted to Gorewada Rescue Center in Nagpur.
The tiger was hit by an unidentified vehicle while attempting to get across the four-lane highway. The animal did not use a small underpass constructed near the spot. Foresters say that the tiger must be habituated to the route to move from Pench Tiger Reserve to the forest on the other side of the highway.
The NHAI has constructed two 750 metres and one 300 metre underpasses for wildlife. Wild animals are using these passes as is evident from the photos available in cameras placed there. Pench field director & CCF Ravikiran Govekar says, “It is possible the tiger may be resident of Khursapar area of PTR. We are yet to identify it.”
Deputy conservator of forest (DyCF) Prabhu Nath Shukla said, “The limping tiger was first sighted at 10 am by a forest labourer in a road off the highway. After walking a few metres, it sat down under a tree unable to move.”
“Our staff kept watch from a tower for two hours but the the animal stayed put. When they went near the tiger it growled and tried to attack but could not stand up, indicating something was wrong. Though there were no external injuries, the animal had suffered femur fractures,” said ACF Sandeep Giri.
The forest team led by wildlife veterinarians Dr Mayur Kate and Dr Syed Bilal from transit treatment centre, Nagpur, tranquillized the tiger. It had suffered a femur fracture on the left leg and also injured its front leg.
“It is a young male and needs to be operated upon, and a rod inserted. Its unlikely to be able to hunt on its own and will have to spend a life in captivity,” said the vets.
State wildlife board member Kundan Hate said, “There have been four such incidents involving tigers in the last two years. Regular patrolling and monitoring is must between Chorbahuli and Deolapar. Vulnerable spots should be identified and warning reflectors placed to deter the wildlife.”