The injured tigress was rescued from the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) – The injured tigress, rescued from the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Forest Division on January 4, has been showing gradual improvement. 

“The injured big cat may take up to two months to fully recover,” said veterinarians treating the tigress at the Forest Department’s Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Khulna.

 After remaining extremely weak initially, the female tiger has started drinking water and taking small amounts of food over the past two days. 

“She roared loudly this morning, displaying aggressive behaviour upon seeing people - an indication of returning wild instincts,” said the doctors. 

According to forest officials, the tigress was trapped in a snare that severely damaged the veins and nerves of her front left leg, temporarily obstructing blood circulation. 

Although blood flow has now returned, the nerves and sub-veins will require time to heal. Due to her advanced age, the tigress has also lost natural strength, making recovery slower.

The updates were shared at a press conference held at the Khulna Press Club this afternoon. 

Speakers at the event urged the government to establish a fully equipped veterinary hospital near the Sundarbans, with at least two wildlife veterinarians and support staff, as well as a water ambulance to ensure rapid transport of injured animals.

Khulna Regional Conservator of Forests (CoF) Imran Ahmed said the tigress’s condition has been steadily improving under the close supervision of Forest Department Veterinary Officer Hatem Sazzad Zulkarnaine. 

As the animal was not yet out of danger, a specialist veterinary team led by Professor Dr Hadi Noor Ali Khan from Bangladesh Agricultural University arrived in Khulna from Dhaka on Tuesday night and conducted initial assessments.

Following further observation this  morning, the expert team noted that while the tigress’s left foreleg was injured, there were no signs of bone fractures - an encouraging sign. 

However, officials cautioned that excessive human presence could increase the risk of infection as the wound continues to heal.

Additional Veterinary Officer of Dhaka Central Veterinary Hospital Dr Nazmul Huda said the tigress is currently facing three major issues: pain and nerve damage in the left foreleg affecting hunting ability, dehydration -- now improving as she has resumed drinking water, and age-related weakness.

Professor Dr Hadi Noor Ali Khan said the tigress had not eaten or drunk water for two to three days after being trapped. She is now being given small portions of meat mixed with medicine. 

“This is not a zoo tiger. She reacts aggressively to human presence. Today we heard her fierce roar,” he said, adding that the animal is being treated in isolation, away from noise and crowds. Video and photography have been strictly prohibited.

He said full recovery could take anywhere between two weeks and two months, depending on healing progress.