T1 tigress who was affectionately given the name 'Avni’ was ultimately shot dead by a?professional hunter, Asgar Ali Khan during wee hours of Saturday.?
The tigress was labelled as a ‘man-eater’ for devouring 13 human beings in the Pandharkawada- Ralegaon forest of Yavatmal district in eastern Maharashtra. She was given a shoot-on-sight order by the Maharashtra government.
Photo: Save The Tiger Facebook Page
Since the hunting frenzy began, wildlife activists and common public were agitated by the forest department and government’s decision to kill Avni. Several questions and petitions were raised over the course of two months.
These included why wasn’t Avni given an order to be tranquillized?first and then killed? Why were animals like elephants and horses being used as bait to find the elusive tigress who is survived by her two cubs. Advanced equipment?like thermal drones and hang gliders were also commissioned to locate her. Appointment of the controversial shooter, Shafath Ali Khan also raised many eyebrows.
Photo: Save The Tiger Facebook Page
She was killed in a single shot, point-blank, without even making an attempt to tranquillize her and capture the tiger alive, which the activists were demanding. The villagers in the Yavatmal district meanwhile, rejoiced after her death.
Other theories of big corporates buying a large chunk of the forest’s area have also been doing rounds. However, amid a tensed atmosphere that was suffused with strong sentiments, a funeral for the tigress was held in Nagpur later in the day.
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Compartment number 149 of Borati forest is where Avni was shot dead. Urine of another tigress and American perfume was spread in the compartment to attract Avni, whereby she came sniffing. Asgar Ali claimed that the officials tried to catch her live at first, however, the dense forest and darkness didn’t give way for appropriate circumstances. Finally, a bullet was fired when Avni fell on the spot. She was lying motionless and was then rushed to a hospital where she was declared brought dead.
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This is how people reacted to Avni's killings-