(IN): Masti the tiger: Wounded but not down

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Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070012899

 

Masti the tiger: Wounded but not down

 

Maya Sharma

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 (Bangalore)

Masti always looks angry but then he really has every reason to do so.

 

The wild tiger used to live in the Nagarahole National Park and then

came that fateful day when he put his foot in a trap set by a poacher.

 

A tourist saw him and took a video, after which he was found and

captured by forest officials before he could starve to death.

 

Masti was then taken to Mysore zoo and his leg was amputated. All this

and being confined in a tiny cage did nothing to kill his spirit.

 

Two years ago, he was moved to Bannerghatta Biological Park and housed

in a shelter that was set up for rescued circus tigers and lions.

 

The difference between the animals is very sharp. ''Masti's nature is

wild while the other captive animals are docile,'' said Dr G K

Vishwanath, Assistant Director, Veterinary Science, Bannerghatta

Biological Park.

 

Things are a little better for the tiger now. He is soon to be put

into an enclosure, which will allow him more space and open air.

 

Park officials first want to make sure it's strong enough to withstand

his energy. He was allowed to mate with a tigress Manasa, which

resulted in three beautiful young tigresses.

 

''It has been allowed to mix with female tigers, so that the natural

gene that is in the wild is passed to its offspring also. That way it

must be comfortable because it was very aggressive when it came,''

said K B Markandiah, Executive Director, Bannerghatta Biological Park.

 

He may be behind the bars of a cage, but Masti is still wild at heart.

Things have improved for the tiger over the last couple of years, but

ultimately he is one more tiger lost to the world forever.