Tigers under watch for Covid symptoms

KOLKATA: Forest officials in the Sunderbans, along with the Border Security Force and police, are on the lookout for tigers which show signs of breathlessness and coughing while swimming across rivers. The animal could be a possible Covid-19 suspect.

The Sunderbans is the world’s largest mangrove delta and the only mangrove forest inhabited by tigers. As the mangroves are largely impenetrable, tigers are usually spotted on the river banks and when they cross the rivers and creeks from one island to another.

“Patrolling on boats has been increased to look out for tigers that show signs of Covid-19, such as breathlessness,” said Ravi Kant Sinha, chief wildlife warden of West Bengal.

On Monday, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had directed all tiger range states to observe tigers with symptoms of Covid-19 such as dry cough or laboured breathing. The advisory came after a tiger at the Bronx zoo in New York was detected with coronavirus.

The BSF and police, who also patrol the delta in their own boats, have also been asked to look out for tigers which are found to be panting while crossing rivers from one island to another.

“Our men are patrolling the area. We have been asked to alert the forest department if we spot any tiger with symptoms such as dry cough, breathlessness and running nose,” said SS Guleria, BSF deputy inspector-general (South Bengal Frontier).

Out of the 2967 tigers in India, Sunderban has around 90 in its one national park and five wildlife sanctuaries. The Indian part of the Sunderban forest spreads over 4200 sq km comprising 48 islands crisscrossed by rivers.

The state forest department has already stopped tourism in the Sunderbans, which is known for its Royal Bengal Tiger and estuarine crocodiles.