A rare root canal operation in a Bengal tiger in Bengaluru

In a rare and significant achievement in wildlife dentistry, vets from Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) and Wildlife SOS performed a comprehensive root canal on Sinchana, a four-year-old Bengal tigress, saving her damaged canine tooth instead of extracting it. Sinchana suffered a severe injury to her canine tooth due to repeated biting in the cage. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

In a rare and significant achievement in wildlife dentistry, veterinarians from Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) and Wildlife SOS successfully performed complex root canal surgery on a four-year-old Sinchana Bengal tigress, saving her damaged canine tooth instead of extracting it.

Sinchana suffered a severe injury to her canine tooth due to repeated biting in the cage. After diagnosing the condition, veterinary teams from BBP and Wildlife SOS jointly assessed the tigress and decided that a root canal procedure would offer the best long-term outcome. The nearly three-hour surgery was performed in the operating theater of Wildlife SOS’s Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre.

The operation was successful and Sinchana recovered without complications. He is currently undergoing post-operative care at the Bannerghatta Biological Park and is said to be recovering well.

Veterinarians said the preservation of the canine tooth was crucial because these teeth play a vital role in helping tigers grasp and tear food. Untreated dental injuries can lead to chronic pain, infection, decreased appetite and poor health. By saving the tooth, the team ensured that Sinchana retained her normal nutritional ability and natural tooth structure.

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Conservation of Nature Act 1972.

AV Surya Sen, Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park, said working with Wildlife SOS ensured Sinchana received the best possible specialist treatment, adding that choosing a root canal instead of an extraction was the best decision for her long-term welfare.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, described the procedure as one of the most challenging in wildlife dentistry, noting that although extraction would have been easier, preserving the tooth gave the tigress the best chance of maintaining a normal life.

Dr. Arun A. Sha, director of research and veterinary operations at Wildlife SOS, said the surgery required careful anesthesia and specialized dental techniques, adding that Sinchan’s recovery has been smooth and the repaired tooth is healing well.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 14:33 IST