Royal Bengal tiger operated in Assam zoo

GUWAHATI: An injured male Royal Bengal tiger was successfully operated upon in the veterinary department of the Assam state zoo.

The tiger was rescued in an injured condition from the Orang wildlife sanctuary in lower Assam, Zoo Director Narayan Mahanta told PTI here.

Rajiv was injured in an animal fight inside the sanctuary last month following which it was rescued and brought to the state zoo here for treatment.

"Although it had lost its sight, the tiger had an elbow problem and had difficulties in moving," he said.

A 14-member team of veterinary doctors performed the operation successfully for two hours following which the animal was on a process of recovery in the zoo.

Assam, which has a sizeable number of tiger population in the sanctuaries and national parks, was jolted by the recovery of two carcasses of tigers in the last two days inside the Kaziranga National Park.

While local villagers said they heard gun shots suggesting that the animals could be poached, forest officials claimed the tigers were killed in animal fight.