Delhi Zookeeper Left Without Finger After Tiger Claws It Off While Feeding It Water

A Delhi zookeeper was left without a finger after he failed to retrieve his finger on time while feeding the big cat water. The worker identified as Fateh Singh, 45 was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in central Delhi, where doctors tried to reattach the broken middle finger of his right hand. He however, failed to get his finger back as the damage was too severe the Hindustan Times reported. Mr Singh is also reported to have suffered a fracture on the thumb.

"The doctors from the surgery and orthopaedics department considered rejoining the finger, but on further examination found that there was too little bone left to do so," the newspaper quoted a doctor at the hospital as saying.

Delhi zoo curator Riyaz Khan said the Bengal tiger had been keeping unwell and veterinarians from Bareilly and the zoo Director Renu Singh had examined the big cat on Monday night which might have led to the erratic temperament of the tiger.  

"The late night inspection may have rattled the tiger. Such incidents have happened in the past too," Mr Khan told PTI.

The Bengal tiger, Rama, was brought from Mysuru in 2014 and has been 'unwell since July 27 and has not been eating enough. It was only on August 14 that an inspection was conducted by the Delhi zoo veterinary officer," another zoo official said, asking not to be identified.

Officials also add that the animal’s agitation may have been caused as it was kept in a 'squeeze cage'. With the cat keeping well, Rama was kept in the ‘squeeze cage’ so that medicals can have better and safer access to the animal’s vaccination and medical check-up.