[music playing]
[whistling]
Put both locks on, make sure it’s safe and secure.
Thank you.
NARRATOR: At the Wildlife SOS’s Rescue Center in Bengaluru–
Let’s quickly do a check on Jawara.
NARRATOR: Jawara, the elderly Bengal tiger,
has spent a couple of days recuperating
inside the sanctuary’s hospital.
OK, let’s start putting out the chicken.
We’re going to put a couple of pieces of chicken
around the enclosure, leading him in the direction
towards the gate, which is going to lead out in into acres
and acres of forest.
NARRATOR: The team hopes Jawara is well enough to return
to his forested enclosure inside the Tiger Rescue Center,
but only if he passes Kartick’s chicken test.
That will also give us an opportunity
to see him walk and move.
REED HARRISON: If we can see him eat that chicken,
then we’ll know for sure whether the tooth problem,
whether we’ve addressed it sufficiently.
All right.
REED HARRISON: Jawara’s life here with us
is a bit like living in the retirement home.
A tiger with injuries similar to Jawara’s is really not able
to hunt as he once would have.
He’s not able to dominate the territory that traditionally
would have been his.
[growls]
REED HARRISON: It’s very likely that he
may have been killed by another dominant male
in this territory.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: I guess now it’s all up to him.
Release the tiger.
He’s moving.
Oh, my god.
Ran out of there.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: He’s walking more comfortably.
Oh, look at him.
REED HARRISON: There he goes into his pool.
He’s looking for the chicken.
Oh.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: He took it.
REED HARRISON: He likes that.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: Yes, he took it.
He’s looking great.
He’s looking alert and sharp.
And he’s not wheezing.
Brilliant, yes.
REED HARRISON: OK, good.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: That’s amazing.
Look at him.
He’s eating so comfortably.
REED HARRISON: He’s eating on the right side as well.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: I’ve not seen him eat like this before.
He’s really chewing.
And that, I think, is a great sign that his dental work
has worked.
Look at him.
I am so impressed.
He is chomping, and chomping, and chomping.
REED HARRISON: He does seem very relieved.
Do you think maybe we should move to the side,
and then he would be encouraged to come
out into the broader enclosure?
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: Yes, I think that’s a good idea.
REED HARRISON: OK.
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: He’s kind of following
the tree, exactly as per plan.
And he’s heard the gate open.
And we want to see him walk out of here.
He’s grooming his coat and his neck,
just like a little cat, only about,
you know, 500 pounds heavier.
That’s a sign of a happy animal.
He’s now moving.
He’s coming towards the gate.
(WHISPERING) See the forest.
He can smell forest.
All he needs to do is take a few steps and go through that gate.
He’s scent marking.
See, he’s spraying on the tree.
That means he is really happy because he treats
this as part of his territory.
REED HARRISON: He’s thinking about the back door, huh?
KARTICK SATYANARAYAN: Yes.
Now he’s going.
Yes.
He’s out in the forest enclosure now.
He settled himself down there to finish his snacks.
