Four rescued tiger cubs die at Mysuru centre; viral infection suspected
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Four tiger cubs rescued by the Forest Department last month died at a rescue and rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of the city, officials said on Wednesday.
According to officials, a tigress and her four cubs, aged around four months, were captured near Gowdanakatte village in Hunsur taluk after being spotted roaming along the forest fringes in the district.
The tigress was trapped and shifted to the Chamundi Animal Conservation, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Koorgalli on the outskirts of Mysuru on November 27.
Her cubs were safely captured three days later, on November 30, and moved to the same facility, where they were kept under observation, an official said. However, on December 1, one of the cubs died.
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A preliminary inquiry suggested it may have succumbed to starvation and is also suspected to have developed respiratory and cardiovascular complications, the official said.
The remaining three cubs died on December 5, 7, and 9. Officials said all three are suspected to have contracted a viral infection, possibly Feline panleukopenia.
It is a highly contagious and severe viral disease in cats and kittens, primarily targeting rapidly dividing cells in the digestive tract, bone marrow, lymphatic tissue, and developing nervous system.
The mother tigress remains healthy but continues to be under observation, they added.
Viscera samples of the cubs have been sent to a veterinary laboratory in Bengaluru to determine the exact cause of death, and the reports are awaited, officials said.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
