Relocated tigress miscarries three foetuses after recapture in Assam
The three-year-old tigress aborted two-month-old foetuses following sedation and a recapture near Gelaguri village, according to The Indian Express.
A relocated tigress miscarried three foetuses, estimated to be two months old, after being recaptured near Gelaguri village in Assam on November 3, according to a report by The Indian Express. The recapture occurred about 10 km from Kokrajhar town and involved four trained elephants and several excavators.
The tigress had been moved from Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve to the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. Official records show she sustained injuries during the transfer between September 29 and 30, including abrasions on her front paw pads, a chipped lower canine, and worn foreclaws.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Director Dr G S Bhardwaj said the tigress showed no visible signs of pregnancy when first captured, noting that detection would have required hormone analysis or an ultrasound. He stated that the miscarriage might involve factors such as anesthesia, transportation, and stress, adding that premature birth is not uncommon in a first pregnancy.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief Sanjay Kumar said the incident is being looked into, while WII scientist Dr K Ramesh said the matter is under investigation. West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon said he had no knowledge of the miscarriage.
The tigress had previously escaped the Buxa Tiger Reserve enclosure on November 8 by digging a tunnel. Minister Oraon stated a new enclosure was not considered necessary as the animal was only to be held for a few days before release.