A joint team of Nagpur Forest Division and Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC), Gorewada, is conducting a search operation to rescue an injured tiger in Mogarkasa Wildlife Conservation area, which likely got wounded after a fight with a tigress in the forest area. Mogarkasa, which is located near Paoni and part of the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), is gaining popularity among wildlife lovers as the Forest Department is developing it as a tourist attraction. Frequent tiger sighting is also making the spot tourism friendly in recent time.

 

“During biodiversity conservation activity in the forest area, we noticed the injured tiger which had a deep wound above its right eye on the forehead. Another tigress was also injured in the same area which was roaming the forest area with two cubs,” Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur and Deputy Field Director, PTR, told ‘The Hitavada’. “The tigress has sustained injury over her mouth and the wound will heal on its own. However, we are concerned about the tiger which has the wound on his forehead and it may develop maggots if it does not get proper treatment,” said Dr Hada.

 

Avinash Londe, Honorary Wildlife Warden, said, “We started the search operation four days back and on Wednesday, an intensive operation will be carried out by us to locate the tiger. The big cat is currently untraceable but our team is searching it daily.” Around 35-40 staffers from Nagpur Forest Division and WRTC are involved in this search and rescue operation. “Around 20 camera traps and live cameras were installed in the forest area but the tiger is still remains elusive despite some camera trap appearances,” said Londe. The joint team is going to use drone to find out the tiger quickly as the wound will start developing maggots, said Londe. As per the sources, both tigers got injured after a fight when the tigress felt danger for her cubs. The Forest Department is planning to capture the tiger by tranquillising it.