Tiger ‘Mangala’ to be shifted to Thrissur Zoological Park

After nearly six years of specialised care, the Forest department has decided to shift a female tiger named “Mangala” to the Thrissur Zoological Park in Puthoor. The tiger was found abandoned by her mother deep inside the forest near the Mangaladevi temple in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) on November 23, 2020.

According to an order issued by Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan, the then two-month-old cub was found in a severely weakened state, suffering from splayed hind legs and corneal opacity in both eyes. The cub was initially moved to an anti-poaching camp at Karadikkavala for treatment, following the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

In July 2021, the Forest department established an Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Unit (AHPCU) spanning 2.78 hectares at Onnampalam, near Thekkady, specifically to rehabilitate and rewild the tiger within the PTR.

Bilateral cataracts

However, veterinary officials later diagnosed the tiger with persistent bilateral cataracts and sought expert ophthalmological advice. A committee of four veterinarians was formed to inspect the animal’s health and determine the feasibility of rewilding.

The committee observed that Mangala’s eye condition, bilateral cataracts with lens luxation, showed no clinical improvement despite ongoing treatment. While surgery was considered the only medical solution, the panel concluded that the necessary anaesthesia and post-operative care are nearly impossible to manage in wild or semi-wild felines.

Furthermore, the panel noted that the tiger has become “human-imprinted” due to years of care. Releasing her into the forest could lead to major human-tiger conflict. Consequently, the committee unanimously concluded that rewilding is not a viable option and recommended that the animal be raised in captivity. Based on the expert panel recommendations, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Kottayam, and the field director of the PTR recommended the transfer to the Thrissur Zoological Park to ensure the tiger’s long-term health and welfare.

In his order, Mr. Krishnan directed the officials to capture Mangala from the AHPCU using a tiger trap or tranquillization for the transfer. The deputy director of the PTR East Division has been tasked with leading the operation under the guidance of the field director to ensure minimum trauma to the animal while translocating it to the zoological park.