A wounded Siberian tiger which killed a woman after breaking loose from a trap in northeast China is still in a critical condition. The tiger's gullet and windpipe were severely damaged when it tried to break out of the trap.

After being anaesthetized the injured animal was taken to a local hospital for a three-and-a-half-hour emergency operation, which was successful. It was then moved to a local forestry company workshop where it is given a daily transfusion of a nutrient solution with added anti-phlogistive agents.

Nearly 20 experts from Beijing, Harbin and other places have gathered in Hunchun City to work out an effective resuscitation plan for the unusual patient. This is the first time an injured wild Siberian tiger has been treated in China. Experts are not quite clear about the self-recovery capability of wild Siberian tigers.

"We have no examples to follow," said Zhang Jinguo, vice head of Beijing Zoo. "This tiger has been severely wounded and needs a long time to recover."

The tiger was found dying close to the body of a woman on February 3 in Hunchun Nature Reserve, which is located at the juncture of China, Russia, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Yang Chunyan, the victim, came across the tiger while walking home with three other colleagues. Unable to escape as quickly as the others, she was killed by the pain maddened tiger which had been wounded by a device alleged to have been set by poachers, according to local officials.

The dead woman's three colleagues survived.

Officials say the tiger must have attacked Yang because of its injuries as wild tigers do not normally attack people.

Local police have started an investigation into the incident and are looking for the people responsible for setting the illegal device.

(China Daily February 10, 2002)