Alipurduar, Dec. 15: Death continues to stalk the animals at the rescue centre in Buxa Tiger Reserve.

The latest casualty was a bear, for whom a minor infection turned fatal because of the lack of a permanent veterinary surgeon at the centre.

The bear, which had been rescued from Gadadhar beat area, christened Mira Bai and kept at the Rajabhatkhawa centre for the past three years, died hours after the part-time veterinary surgeon dressed its wounds last Friday.

Forest staff said the bear had been suffering from an infection in its left leg for the past few days, but had to go without treatment for the lack of a vet.

?On Thursday, we noticed that the condition of the wound had worsened and it seemed to have been caused when she was scratching it,? a forest official said.

?We informed the part-time veterinary surgeon of the tiger reserve, Suvendu Poddar, in the evening, but he could arrive to attend on Mira Bai only the next day,? he added.

The bear was moved into a squeeze cage and its wound dressed. But the help came a bit too late. Mira Bai died the same night.

The rescue centre has been doing without a full-time vet since Mihir Bhadra was transferred after three leopard cubs and an adult died within days of each other in March. Bhadra was found guilty of dereliction of duty.

Since the transfer, Poddar, the veterinary surgeon of Alipurduar Block I has doubled as the part-time vet for the park. He stays in Baburhaat, some 30 km from the rescue centre.

?We must have a full-time vet at the centre. Ailing animals cannot wait for treatment,? Poddar said. ?There are 13 leopards, a vulture and an eagle at the rescue centre at present and there is no one to monitor their health. There is no point in having a rescue centre if animals die without treatment ?

Ravikant Sinha, the conservator of forest who is also the field director of the reserve, echoed Poddar.

?The rescue centre needs a full-time veterinary surgeon and we have been trying to make arrangements since the post fell vacant some months ago. Without a surgeon on call, the purpose of setting up an animal rescue centre is defeated,? he said. ?A Wildlife Advisory Board meeting has been called on December 23 and we will raise the issue there. The chief minister, who is also the chairman of the board, will be present at the meet.?