Bhopal: Nearly a month after being rescued from Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Dewas with severe injuries sustained in a territorial fight, an adult male tiger named Yuvraj is showing gradual signs of recovery at Van Vihar National Park, where it remains under intensive veterinary care.Van Vihar officials on Tuesday said that Yuvraj, believed to be around 10 years old, was born in Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary and had been a familiar sight in its tourism zone since it was about two years old. Forest officials said the tiger played a significant role in the sanctuary’s breeding population and was known to have shared territory with tigresses Radha and Meera.Officials said trouble began in the third week of June when a younger male tiger entered Yuvraj’s territory, triggering a violent territorial fight. The clash left the older tiger critically injured and unable to move.Considering its condition, the forest department decided to rescue it. On June 27, a special rescue team from Van Vihar National Park brought the tiger to Bhopal under challenging field conditions on the directions of senior forest officials.Fractures, deep wounds detected during examination:Six days after the rescue, veterinarians conducted a detailed health examination after tranquilising the tiger. X-rays and clinical assessment revealed fractures in both forelimbs, along with deep wounds on both front legs and the left hind limb.The injury on the left hind leg was found to be particularly severe and required six sutures. The examination was carried out by senior veterinary surgeon Dr SK Tumadia of the State Veterinary Hospital, Jehangirabad, Van Vihar wildlife health officer Dr Atul Gupta, and Dr Vineet of Wildlife SOS.Assistant director of Van Vihar Ruhi Haque said the tiger has remained under constant observation since its arrival and is receiving continuous treatment.Recovery underway:Forest officials said Yuvraj has shown encouraging improvement over the past month. Its condition is being closely monitored, and treatment will continue until it recovers sufficiently.Officials said the tiger’s rescue and rehabilitation remain a significant conservation effort, as Yuvraj was one of Kheoni’s dominant breeding males before the territorial conflict with the younger tiger.
