The female tiger rescued from the Sundarbans in critical condition is showing gradual improvement, officials said on Tuesday.

The 3–4-year-old tiger had been trapped in a poacher’s snare for three to four days, sustaining a severe injury to her front left leg.

Veterinarians at the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center said that although many damaged cells in the wound have died the injury remains at risk.

Zulkernine, veterinary officer at Gazipur Safari Park, said, “Many cells in the wound have died, but the injured area is still at risk. We are dressing it twice daily and providing medicines and injections. The tiger is weak but showing signs of recovery.”

Khulna Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal added, “The tiger is eating regularly and moving around. She shows aggression if approached. Necessary treatment is ongoing, and she is under continuous monitoring. She is now out of immediate danger.”

Read More: Tiger trapped in poachers’ snare in Sundarbans; rescue operation underway

Sundarbans East Division DFO Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said a special operation has been underway since January 5 to recover poachers’ traps.

“Poacher activity has increased raising concerns for our forest staff. Controlling poaching will benefit wildlife and forest resources in the Sundarbans,” he noted.

The tiger was tranquilised on January 4 near a poacher trap in Bagerhat’s Monla area and transported to the center in a metal cage. Over the past eight days, the Forest Department has removed numerous traps and rescued an injured chital deer.

According to forest officials, camera-trap surveys recorded 125 tigers in Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans as of October 2024, up from 114 in 2018 and 106 in 2015.

Each tiger occupies a home range of 14–16 square kilometers within the protected mangrove forest.