Bison walks easy after veterinarian pulls out 5-foot-long spear

The animal was found to be writhing in pain during late hours on Monday. Officials spotted the monster struggling with the spear on its back near the hind legs. “The animal weighing close to a tonne was closely followed and till it reached its herd. Forest personnel from Kundha and Nilgiris South Forest Ranges managed to separate the injured animal from its herd as it needed urgent treatment,” a forest officer said. 

After tailing the animal for 3 km, foresters tranquilised it soon after separating it from its herd. Required surgical equipments were taken to the mountain on foot as it was not possible to bring the big animal to the plains for surgery. The surgery was performed by senior wildlife veterinary officer NS Manoharan. 

“The spear had pierced the animal so badly that both ends of the weapon measuring about a foot-long were visible on either side of the animal. Nearly three feet of the spear had gone into the body of the animal,” a department officer added. During the five-hour surgery using a surgical hammer, larger forceps and cutting plier, the ends of the rod were first cut off, before the portion inside the animal was removed. Its exterior was sutured and medicines were administered.  

In a few hours, the animal was freed into the forest. Fortunately, the animal’s bones and vital organs were not injured and the animal was able to move without difficulty. “It even took food and its behaviour was normal. It is being constantly monitored,” a senior officer added. Meanwhile, forest personnel have begun a probe to find whether the animal was attacked with spear by poachers or miscreants. This is because the Indian Bison or other animals have often suffered injuries on their limbs or abdomen. “The possibility of a spear piercing through the back of an animal, especially a strong one like the bison is almost remote,” an officer added.