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Wildlife dept `turns a blind eye` to tiger`s eye ailment

By Majeed Gill 2025-01-09
BAHAWALPUR: A Bengal tiger in the Bahawalpur Zoo is on the verge of losing its one eye due to cataract an eye ailment as the wildlife dept high-ups are allegedly delaying response to the issue raised by zoo administration.

Dawn has learnt that a tiger agedaboutsevenyearshadcontracted the eye disease some four years back, which has now spread, badly affecting his eyesight and resulting in poor vision.

Bahawalpur Division Wildlife Deputy Director Usman Bokhari, who also holds additional charge of the facility`s curator, was not available for his comment on the situation.

However, another official says on behalf of the deputy director that the lion contracted the disease about four years` back, claiming it could not be treated in Pakistan.

He claims the issue of the tiger`s treatment has been con-veyed to the wildlife department high-ups and their response is awaited.

He also claims that the zoo administration is in contact with some animal welfare organisations, seeking their help in the tiger`s eye treatment.

However, Zahid Ali Rai, the former wildlife deputy director, who had also been holding additional charge of the curator`s office at the zoo told Dawn on mobile phone that he doubts that the department high-ups were aware of the issue as it was never reported during his tenure.

He claimed that there was no official zoo record of the tiger`s eye ailment.

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