Panel submits report on death of tiger

Bhopal, Jan 21: The four-member probe panel constituted to go into the death of male tiger Gautam on December 6, 2007 at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal has submitted its report. Report says that as per the blood test it was confirmed that tiger Gautam died of babesia infection. With the view that this infection does not spread among other animals, blood samples of 7 tigers, 13 lions and 3 leopards were tested and no traces of babesia were found.

The panel's report also says that no lapses were made in the treatment of male tiger Gautam. Not only this, but the treatment was made after taking expert advice from famous wildlife health experts of the country. On the instructions by Forest Minister Vijay Shah, a four-member committee had been constituted to go into the causes of male tiger Gautam's death. The committee comprised Chief Forest Conservator (wildlife) Suhas Kumar, Forest Conservator and Van Vihar National Park Bhopal's Director, Prof. AB Shrivastava (Incharge Wildlife Health Cell) of Jabalpur's Veterinary College and Veterinary Assistant Surgeon of State Veterinary Hospital Bhopal Anil Kumar Sharma. Besides, Parag Nigam of Indian Wildlife Institute Dehradun and wildlife advisor of Andhra Pradesh government M Naveen Kumar were also invited to inspect the wildlife management at Van Vihar and present their necessary suggestions.

The report of the probe panel constituted by the Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlie) and the reports of M Naveen Kumar and Parag Nigam has expressed satisfaction over wildlife management at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal. M Naveen Kumar has suggested that animals of cat family should be administered triquinn injections every six months and meat served to them should be dipped in the solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect it.

Parag Nigam of Indian Wildlife Institute Dehradun took the demonstration of animal keepers and sanitary workers of Van Vihar National Park Bhopal which was termed as satisfactory by him. He suggested that apart from routine sanitation, the housing should be disinfected by using sodium hypochlorite and Flagmon alternately every 15 days. Suggestion has also been floated to test the health of Van Vihar employees from time to time so that no infection passes from them on to the animals. Following this suggestion necessary health checks including blood test of 23 employees were done through Red Cross Society.

After minutely going through health-related records of wildlife and their treatment Dr Parag Nigam not only expressed satisfaction but also praised the efforts undertaken by Van Vihar doctors and staff. Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Principal Chief Forest Conservator and Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) had of late visited Mumbai-based Sanjay National Park. After his return Forest Minister Kunwar Shah had instructed the Van Vihar Bhopal officials to adopt the same process of wildlife health and improvement of housing at the Van Vihar. Under these instructions, the improvement work of new tiger housing is under progress at Van Vihar Bhopal.