A tiger hit by a train in Sehore district, 40 kms from Bhopal, succumbed to its injuries on Friday morning.
According to wildlife officials, the injured tiger was found near the rail track on Thursday evening (7 pm) at Budhni’s Midhghat area near Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.
The rail authorities spotted the injured tiger and informed the local wildlife officials about it, who rushed to the spot.
Sehore district forest officer KP Sharma said it seems that after hunting, the tiger had gone to a waterhole near the track to drink water.
“After this, most likely it was hit by a train and got injured. His right pelvic girdle was fractured and he died of internal bleeding,” he said, adding, “When we got the information, I along with my team rushed to the spot, which is over 130 kms from the district headquarter. We had to walk the last eight kms on foot. We were there for the whole night. The injured tiger was breathing slowly and wreathing in pain.”
When questioned that if he could reach the spot by 11 pm, why couldn’t veterinarians reach the spot during night, which might have saved the injured tiger, Sharma said, “When I got the news I called the veterinarian at Bhopal, who said permission of the superiors was needed. I tried to call his superiors, but I couldn’t contact them. Finally they came early in the morning. But the tiger couldn’t be saved,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}When questioned that if he could reach the spot by 11 pm, why couldn’t veterinarians reach the spot during night, which might have saved the injured tiger, Sharma said, “When I got the news I called the veterinarian at Bhopal, who said permission of the superiors was needed. I tried to call his superiors, but I couldn’t contact them. Finally they came early in the morning. But the tiger couldn’t be saved,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Veterinary doctor at Van Vihar Dr Atul Gupta, who had gone to treat the tiger on Friday, said that tiger was a sub-adult around two to two-and-half years old.