Maha wants Avni’s cubs alive

Mumbai, November 27

The Maharashtra Government’s forest department has been asked to trap the two cubs of tigress T1, nicknamed Avni, following criticism over the big cat’s shooting.

Officials said they had installed cages with bait to lure the cubs. “We have traced the cubs using camera traps and both are fine. They are able to catch and kill prey,” an official said. The cubs were about 11 months old when their mother was shot by a hunter engaged by the government. It is alleged that Avni had turned into a maneater.

Officials say the cubs have taken to hunting on their own and have settled in the Pandarkawada area of Yavatmal district close to the area where their mother was killed. — TNS