My candle burns at both its ends;
It will not last the night;
But oh, my foes, and oh, my friends --
It gives a lovely light.

Monday, 30 November 2009

THE TALE OF Bee Tee ( BROKEN TAIL)

We called her Bee Tee - Because she had a broken tail, which used to dangle down at right angles when she was in a tree. For a long time she was sighted near the cattle pound. She had killed a neighboring villager’s calf a week ago, she must've been hungry. So we set the bait and trap and waited. At 5 am I got the call ' We got her!'


She was 4 years old. No cubs as yet - and very very angry - she kept hurling herself at the bars and hurting herself trying to escape.


What a magnificent creature! It was not her fault. We had invaded her turf.


You can see how she had hurt herself. I immediately ordered her covered and dispersed the crowds. we had to treat her before relocating her.



The vet came with a blowgun dart to sedate her - which was not working - so now we had to do it manually - so we squeezed her into a corner and gave her the poke - she went out cold, as per the doc for 3 hours.


So we carted her on a bori to the vet OT


We bandaged her foot ( which was opened prior to release)


Medicated her bruises



Gave her IV

Apparently you measure the age from the ridges on the teeth. Scary, even if the animal is a sleep! Took a whole lot of measurements and samples


You can see why she is called Broken Tail


She came to after 2 hours. So we hurried and put her back



She was still groggy when the vehicle took off for her new home about 100kms away in the forest. The Forest guys took her.


I wish her well and a speedy recovery. Meanwhile there are rumors of another leopard in the area.