Bad planning led to Avni’s killing: NTCA report

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has in its report slammed the Maharashtra government’s casual approach and bad planning which resulted in killing of Avni the tigress in Tadoba.

According to the report, there was no coordination between the authorities and shooters in the killing of T1 tigress, or Avni. Dr Kadu, had supplied the tranquiliser dart which had to be used within 24 hours. However, Mukhbir Shaikh, the forester conveniently used it after 56 hours, hence Avni did not fall unconscious, hence they resorted to killing her. NTCA gave these details in the probe report after the killing of Avni.

The team that had gone to trap Avni did not coordinate with the veterinary team. The dart containing the tranquiliser, was administered without consulting this veterinary team. The tigress did not fall unconscious because the dart was administered two days late.

The NTCA has stated, Avni had been spotted several times on November 2, prior to her killing. It would have been easy to trap her with proper planning with the forest and veterinary team. However, instead of doing this, she was shot immediately. Instead, the shooter was felicitated by the villagers for killing Avni.

The report further states, there were veterinary doctors in the team that was involved in trapping Avni.