Tigress critically injured after train hit near Tumsar

Nagpur: An adult tigress was grievously injured in a train collision near Dongri railway station on Tumsar-Tirodi section of South East Central Railway (SECR) on Friday.The unidentified tigress, presumably from Nagkadongri forest range in Bhandara district, was rescued after 7 hours and shifted to Gorewada Rescue Centre at Nagpur in the evening.The creature sustained critical injuries to its head, hind legs and one-third of the tigress's tail was severed. Sources indicated the animal attempted to move but, due to internal and external injuries, it collapsed on tracks, 25 metres from where its tail was discovered.The delay in rescuing the animal led to crowd disrupting it further by taking selfies with the injured animal.Veterinarian from Lakhni in Bhandara district Dr Vitthal Hatwar said the animal was dehydrated and under stress due to the crowd surrounding it and multiple injuries. A radiograph would be necessary to ascertain extent of injuries.Unverified reports suggest the train was traveling at 80kmph when loco pilot spotted the tigress on tracks. Despite applying emergency brakes, the train, having decelerated to 50kmph, still struck the animal. The loco pilot informed staff at the next station, and police were first to reach the spot.Bhandara deputy conservator of forest Rahul Gavai said, "The incident occurred around 5.20am. Though our local staff reached the spot early, it could not launch a rescue operation for want of a rapid rescue team (RRT), vehicles, equipment, and veterinarians."The operation was delayed as the department had to procure reversal drugs administered after sedation, IV fluids, etc., from the market. The wounded tigress was taken to forest department's Chicholi depot nearby at 1.30pm before being shifted to Gorewada in evening.Sources said the rescue operation lasted nearly 7 hours as forest department lacked appropriate tranquilising drugs. "We had to procure reversal drug externally, hence the delay," Dr Hatwar explained."Bhandara already has Koka Wildlife Sanctuary, and forest in the division acts as a functional corridor between Navegaon-Nagzira and Pench tiger reserves. The presence of rich wildlife, including leopards and tigers, makes it imperative to set up a transit treatment centre (TTC) at Bhandara," said Bhandara honorary wildlife warden Shahid Khan.
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