A critically injured tigress rescued from a poacher’s trap in the Sundarbans is battling for survival, wildlife experts said on Monday, raising renewed concern over illegal hunting in the world’s largest mangrove forest.

The Forest Department rescued the 3–4-year-old tigress from a nylon rope snare near Boiragi Bari along the Sarkir Canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district on Sunday afternoon.

Veterinarians said the animal had remained trapped for several days, leaving it severely weakened and traumatised.

Dr Julkar Nayen, veterinary officer of Gazipur Safari Park, said the tigress’s left leg suffered deep injuries due to prolonged entanglement in the trap. “The leg has rotted, blood circulation has stopped, blood vessels are damaged and body cells have been affected,” he said. The animal is suffering from mineral and salt deficiency and severe starvation.

He said fluid discharge was observed from the tigress’s nose and her overall physical condition remains critical. “She is not fit to be shifted elsewhere at this stage. Treatment is ongoing, but it is difficult to predict recovery,” he added.

Khulna Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal, said the tigress regained consciousness on Sunday evening but remains in trauma.

Tigress trapped in poachers’ snare in Sundarbans rescued

“She is not walking and has refused food despite repeated attempts. Saline and medicines mixed with water are being administered,” he said, adding that a specialist team is monitoring her condition and she may be shifted to Dhaka if required.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has launched combing operations across several areas of the Sundarbans East Division to recover poachers’ traps.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the operation began on Monday morning and will continue for at least two days.

“Although no poachers have been arrested so far, about 35,000 feet of deer-hunting snares have been seized over the past 8 months,” he said.

Khulna region Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed said the tigress became critically weak after remaining trapped without food for days. “Advice from both local and foreign veterinarians is being sought,” he said.

Wildlife experts criticised delays in the rescue operation, saying earlier intervention might have reduced the severity of the injuries.

They urged the authorities to strengthen surveillance and take swift action to protect tigers in the Sundarbans.

Wildlife expert and CEO of WildTeam Professor Dr Anwarul Islam called for maximum efforts to save the tigress, stressing coordinated action involving forest officials, veterinarians, universities and relevant ministries.

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“The tiger is the guardian of the Sundarbans, and local people are the guardians of the tiger. Without tigers, the Sundarbans cannot survive,” he said.

Prof Anwarul Islam said that the tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is the only refuge for the tiger. Currently, there are 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. “We do not want to lose even a single tiger.”

The tigress was first spotted by a fisherman on Saturday afternoon, about half a kilometre inside the forest.

After surrounding the area, forest officials tranquilised the animal on Sunday afternoon and transported it to the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

According to Forest Department data, the number of tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans stood at 125 as of October 2024, up from 114 in 2018 and 106 in 2015.

Tigers in the region continue to face threats from poaching, climate change and rising salinity.

Read more: The Majestic Bengal Tiger: Conservation Success in the Sundarbans