A tigress trapped in a snare set by deer poachers in the Sundarbans was rescued by the Forest Department on Sunday afternoon near Boiragi Bari along Sarkir canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district.
The tigress was tranquilised and safely freed from the trap around 3pm, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
He said Forest Department personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information and cordoned off the area from Saturday evening.
“The rescue operation began on Sunday and was completed in the afternoon after continuous efforts,” he added.
The tigress sustained a deep injury to its front left leg, he said.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Julkar Naeem from Gazipur Safari Park used a tranquiliser gun to render the animal unconscious while Forest Department experts were present during the operation.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said it is believed the tigress was caught in the snare set by deer poachers three to four days earlier.
“The animal also became weak due to prolonged entrapment and exposure to cold weather. The tigress will be taken to the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Khulna for treatment and once recovered, will be released back into the Sundarbans, “he said.
