Funeral Held In Nagpur For Tigress Avni As People React To Her Killing With Grief And Anger
amid a tensed atmosphere that was suffused with strong sentiments, a funeral for the tigress was held in Nagpur later in the day.
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.
ALSO READ: Who Is Shafath Ali Khan, The Controversial Hunter Who Led The Killing Of Tigress Avni?
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.
ALSO READ: Here¡¯s Why People Want To Urgently Stop The Hunt For ¡®Man-Eater¡¯ Tigress Avni In Maharashtra
This is how people reacted to Avni's killings-
Sad. Sorry Tigress Avni.
¡ª Abhishek Kaul (@abhkaul) November 3, 2018
We put you down for no primary fault of yours.
It was we humans who /encroached your natural home. My heart goes equaly with the families of the bereaved there surely would have been a better option than shooting her.@peta @letavnilive @Manekagandhibjp https://t.co/lXi0xAO5qo
What's the point of celebrating #statueofunity when there is lawlessness in reality. #Avni was shot dead with not single protocol followed as mandated by the court #AnimalCruelty
¡ª Neelam Rawat (@neelspeaks) November 3, 2018
https://t.co/47pj80yYzG via @timesofindia
Sad Day.China has reversed Ban on Tiger/Rhino products for medicinal uses.While on home ground Despite all efforts,#Avni has been shot dead by the hunters, a leopard killed in Hit in run in Virar,Idiocy Reigns.Losing battle for our wildlife in Man Politics and Animal conflict.
¡ª Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) November 3, 2018
I condemn the practice of forest and wildlife being sacrificed in the name of development. A country¡¯s large-heartedness is proven by how they treat their animals. Govt. is not working hard to save nature, which is our asset, whether it is animals, bird or land.
¡ª Avinash Pande (@avinashpandeinc) November 3, 2018
RIP Tigress Avni! pic.twitter.com/bM22lezeDD
India only country where we kill our National Animal "officially"
¡ª Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) November 3, 2018
there were so many alternatives possibilities, but we chose to kill
Even Terrorists who kill people, they face a trial
But Avni a mother of two cubs was killed just based on rumours #Avnithetigress pic.twitter.com/9i3Ll2SQNM
We talk about dynasties in politics and industries..well, we have dynasties in shooting too. The son of so-called "aristocratic hunter Nawab" shoots tigress Avni, without protocol, or accompanying vet. The drama concludes. The laws are broken, animal dead https://t.co/gCb8eNi9kt
¡ª Neha Sinha (@nehaa_sinha) November 3, 2018
Tigress Avni Shot Dead. She Leaves Behind Two Cubs & A Lot Of Questions About Humanity https://t.co/jfptjsTD7t
¡ª Babun Ghosh (@babungh0sh) November 3, 2018
A hundred laws broken. Two babies orphaned.
¡ª Shreoshi Mukherjee (@shreomukherjee) November 3, 2018
A mother cold-bloodedly murdered.
All on the basis of assumptions.
Dark day for the Nation. We failed you #Avni.? pic.twitter.com/SGFhw6dQvv
Apart from writing news, Kriti is either listening to some good music or eating some good food. A lover of horror movies and adventurous rides, she is keen on making new friends.
