Aizawl: A team of wildlife experts and veterinarians has carried out Mizoram’s first advanced medical procedure on an injured Bengal tiger at the Aizawl Zoological Park in Sakawrtuichhun.The 9-year-old female tiger, ‘Adyasha’, sustained multiple injuries on the lower part of her body that became seriously infested with maggots. Officials said her worsening condition raised the risk of deep tissue infection, requiring immediate intervention.As India’s national animal and a Schedule-I protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Bengal tiger holds high conservation importance. Tigers in zoos are also part of the country’s conservation breeding programme.‘Adyasha’ is one of only three Bengal tigers housed at the Mizoram State Zoo. She was born on Aug 9, 2016, at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha and was transferred to Aizawl Zoological Park on March 27, 2023.Forest officials said the zoo’s veterinary team began initial treatment, but the extent of the injuries required detailed examination and intensive care under general anaesthesia. Immobilising an adult Bengal tiger is considered high risk and requires specialised drugs, equipment and experienced wildlife veterinarians.Mizoram does not have access to specialised immobilisation drugs used to sedate large carnivores, prompting the forest department to seek help from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the state veterinary department.A joint team led by deputy conservator of forests (Aizawl Wildlife Division) Margaret Lalramchhani, IFS, along with Dr Sanath Krishna Muliya and Dr Lallianpuii Kawlni from WII, and veterinarians from the state veterinary department, carried out the procedure.The team tranquilised ‘Adyasha’, cleaned and debrided the infected wounds, administered medication and provided further treatment. Officials described the operation as the first specialised tiger treatment of its kind conducted in Mizoram.‘Adyasha’ is now under close observation and will continue to receive follow-up care.Mizoram has only three Bengal tigers, all housed at the Aizawl Zoological Park. The development comes as Dampa Tiger Reserve, the state’s only tiger reserve, recorded no tigers in the latest All India Tiger Estimation.
