Sahebrao tiger lost part of his leg after he was caught in a poacher’s trap. Seven years later, he’s about to receive a prosthetic paw in the first operation of its kind.
Sahebrao was fortunate to be found, but his front left leg developed gangrene, necessitating amputation. Since the operation, the 7-year-old tiger has lived in captivity in the Gorewada Zoo’s Wildlife Rescue Centre in Nagpur, India.
During that time he attracted the admiration of orthopedic surgeon Sushrut Babhulkar, who in 2016 adopted him. Babhulkar has made it his mission to explore prostheses options for Sahebrao ever since. “I wish to see him walk normally, like a human being getting a prosthetic leg, for the rest of his life,” Babhulkar told The Indian Express.
His commitment to Sahebrao brought experts in India and University of Leeds Professor Peter Giannoudis together to develop a plan. At the beginning of the month, Sahebrao had an initial operation preparing his body for his new paw, and within the next few weeks, the team will fit his paw, making Babhulkar’s dream for Sahebrao a reality.
In the wild, tigers are known to live to 20, so Sahebrao will be able to enjoy his new paw for years to come. Sadly, many tigers are not so lucky, and Sahebrao’s story is an important reminder of the necessity of education, protection for animals, and conservation. Fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild, and the black market and legally sanctioned wildlife trade jeopardizes the survival of their species.
We are so happy that after seven years Sahebrao will be enjoying life with four limbs and the freedom to run around and be a cat unencumbered once more.
What’s New…
Happy that this tiger is getting a second chance at life. Too bad this had to happen at all.
ALL poachers and trophy hunters need a bullet behind their right ear, and left as food for whatever animals are around.
At least then they’ll make a positive contribution to the world.
Thank you for all of the wonderful people who are working to aid this poor tiger by having a prosthetic leg installed what a wonderful thing to do to help this animal live out his life.
Thank you for caring for this beautiful tiger…..I am so sick of innocent tigers, elephants, giraffes & really all wild animals being targeted for their fur & tusks…..it has to stop.
Would love to see the Tiger with his new Leg 🙂
Very happy he will be enjoying his new life with four limbs too.
Anyone who commits a crime on animals need to do serious tine in prison. This is the only way these crimes are going to end or give the sick person something to think about. If you think you are about to perform a cruel act on an animal, just drop the animal off to a shelter or open the door and set them free. Don’t hurt them just because you can. Ask yourself the question. If it was me, how would I feel? That puppy didn’t deserve that.
Anyone who commits a crime on animals need to do serious tine in prison. This is the only way these crimes are going to end or give the sick person something to think about. If you think you are about to perform a cruel act on an animal, just drop the animal off to a shelter or open the door and set them free. Don’t hurt them just because you can. Ask yourself the question. If it was me, how would I feel? That puppy didn’t deserve that.
GREAT NEWS!
Poachers should be shot on sight, no hesitation and left where they fall. They are the main source of our problems regarding all wildlife, followed closely by trophy hunters who should meet the same fate! All are garbage and deserve to meet horrible endings.
Agreed 1000%!!!
This is such a awe inspiring story and I want to thank everyone who has helped save Sahebrao. We hope that with his new prosthesis he will have only wonderful and amazing years left to live.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR YOUR HUGE HEARTS…THE INGRATES WHO THINK ITS FUN TO KILL SUCH BEAUTIFUL MAJESTIC ANIMALS DO NOT DESERVE TO LIVE…THE HATE IN THEIR HEARTS FOR ANIMALS MAKES ME SICK.
An honorable group of mortals
Namaste🐦
Dr. Babhulkar you are the greatest. Why can’t the world be filled with men like you? And the beautiful tiger is so lucky that your paths.crossed. your karma will be rewarding. Thank you
And all you poachers, burn in hell!
What a brilliant kind person orthopedic surgeon Sushrut Babhulkar, is I wish there was more like him
I LOATHE poachers, hunters-monsters, ALL depraved, PSYCHO participants in this immoral, brutal racket — Poachers/Hunters bring NOTHING to the table — they trap, they maim, they kill — beautiful, magnificent precious Beings — they bring torture, suffering & death to innocent, vulnerable Animals — THANK YOU to the wonderful Rescuers / Surgeons who are taking care of this magnificent Tiger, Sahebrao, and are giving him a second chance at a happy life — you’re the BEST.
Oh, happy day! I am so glad and thankful that there are persons who have the skills to do this AND who have the heart for animals to do. I hope there will be future reports on Sahebrao’s progress. This is a success story and we need them to keep us going.
I hope one day we will find a way to make this predation on other species a thing of the past.
I get so sad reading this. I’m happy 🙂 for this tiger but what if he was not found? I wish things would stop, I keep
signing petitions for these types of things and the dog/cat meat markets but they don’t seem to go away. I wish humans would stop the cruelty.
Thank you Lady Free Thinker
Wish the leg of the poacher could be cut off Maybe then this person would realize the cruelty he is inflicting on a helpless and defenseless animal. Ban all Traps
pouching is so barbaric!!!!
Also cut off the legs of the vermin and let them live on without any tools until they are broken. You must destroy these rotten monsters because they are not human beings. They have no feelings, no brains and respect for the beautiful animal.
I am glad to hear, that human beings are taking care for this precious, wonderful tiger. It is a crime to poach and hunt animals, and those beasts, that are setting lazy and cunning traps, should loose their claws and lower extremities and – when these zombies survive the attack- move on their stumps, getting NO CENT for wheel-chairs or orthopedic prostheses. This disgustin, degenerate, evil scum should remember each second of their goddamn life, what they have done to all their innocent victims. And again- I demand birth control in India, Asia and Africa. They kill and eat everything and at the end- us! They are too much, the women are breeding machines without any rights. Stop that desaster!
Well done and thank you to all who have helped him.
So nice to know Sahebrao will be receiving a prosthetic leg & hope he lives for years to come. Thanks.
…Let’s catch the poachers anywhere they set up traps. .. Execute them all