Tiger with neck wound spotted in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

PILIBHIT: An adult tiger with a deep circular wound around its neck was spotted near the diversion headwork of Sharda Sagar dam’s outlet canal in Barahi forest range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), raising concern among forest officials.The matter came to light on Saturday after the big cat’s photograph purportedly captured by tourists during a safari a few days ago, was widely circulated on social media.Wildlife veterinary experts suspect the injury may have been caused by a snare that could still be embedded in the neck. Forest officials, however, said it might also be a wound sustained during a fight with another male, a possibility experts rejected.A wildlife veterinary scientist, requesting anonymity, said the injury appeared to be a ligature wound caused by a nylon rope, clutch wire or galvanised iron wire, which may still be embedded in the tissues. Another expert involved in rescue operations also indicated a likely clutch wire snare. It has been reported to the state’s chief wildlife warden, Anuradha Vemuri.Recent incidents have indicated possible poaching activity in areas around the Barahi range. A sub-adult wild boar was shot dead inside the range on April 14. Earlier, a four-year-old leopard rescued from a nearby village after being caught in a metallic snare died within 19 hours, possibly due to capture myopathy.Divisional forest officer Manish Singh said the area has the presence of two adult tigers and two tigresses, including the injured big cat. “We have installed camera traps and deployed drones to track its movement for rescue, but have not located it so far,” he said, adding that the tiger continues to move despite the injury.Wildlife enthusiast Srajit Awasthi said the possibility of a snare should not be taken lightly and pointed to continued poaching activity in the region.