Vets fail to save wounded gaur

WILDLIFE / POACHING

Vets fail to save wounded gaur

MANIT SANUBBOON

Prachin Buri _ An eight-year-old bull gaur severely injured by a poacher's snare has died despite the best efforts by veterinarians to save its life. The animal spent at least a week with its hind leg caught in the wire noose in Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary.

The animal had also been shot, and is believed to have been fleeing from poachers when it was trapped.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo veterinarian Jessada Taewngern said the gaur died on Monday night. It was sent for treatment at the zoo on Friday.

Forest rangers found the protected animal last Thursday in the western part of the wildlife sanctuary in Chachoengsao province. The gaur, weighing about 900kg, was starving and had a festering wound on its right hind leg, which was held by the snare. Veterinarians estimated the animal had been held in the noose for at least a week. Mr Jessada said the gaur's wound was infected and inflamed to the point the animal could no longer stand by itself. Its hip bone was also hurt, probably from attempts to free itself from the snare. During its treatment, the gaur was able to drink water and eat small amounts of food, but it had breathing difficulties and became unconsciousness late on Monday. ''The gaur's condition began deteriorating at 7pm and it died around 8.45pm. Earlier, it was diagnosed with anaemia and a pathological infection in the blood,'' he said.

Yu Senatham, chief of the sanctuary, said the animal suffered severe leg injuries, gunshot wounds, dehydration, a fractured hip bone and the blood infection, the most likely cause of death.

Yesterday, four monks were invited to perform a funeral rite for the dead gaur before its bones were dedicated to be displayed to the public at the Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary office.