Avni's post-mortem being performed at the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur | Photo Credit: BCCL

Yavatmal: Like a story from one of Edward James Corbett's writings, the much sensational hunt for an alleged 'man-eating' tigress in Maharashtra's Pandharkawda forest has sparked controversy. Avni, the six-year-old tigress who had been living in the forest with her two cubs was shot down in Yavatmal district on Friday by Asghar Ali Khan, the son of controversial hunting enthusiast Shafat Ali Khan.

Ever since the Maharashtra forest department claimed that Avni was responsible for killing 13 locals over the past two years, activists have been up in arms over allegations against the leonine creature, that they claim are fabricated. Despite stiff opposition and a growing demand for a presidential pardon for Avni, the Supreme Court refused to overturn the shoot-at-sight order issued against the big cat by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), wildlife, AK Misra.

(A protest in Mumbai against the shoot-at-sight order issued for Avni; Photo Credits: BCCL)

Over the course of the past several months, forest rangers deployed several measures such as a motorised paraglider, hunting dogs, infrared cameras and even Calvin Klien's Obsession for Men cologne in an attempt to catch the tigress. However, when all measures failed, the forest department hired controversial hunter Shafat Ali Khan to hunt down the tigress. In Shafat's absence, his son Asghar Ali Khan was the one whose bullet ended Avni's life on Friday night.

(Hunter Asghar Ali Khan whose bullet killed Avni; Photo Credits: BCCL)

Animal rights activists have condoned the manner in which the forest department declared Avni a ‘man-eater’ and hunted her down instead of trying to capture her alive. Yuva Sena Chief Aditya Thackeray also spoke out against Avni’s death and blamed forest rangers for killing the majestic cat in cold blood.

Let’s rename the Ministry of Forests as Ministry of Poaching. It’s anyway a sham! #Avni pic.twitter.com/NPFg9KLLz4 — Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 3, 2018

In fact, pictures of locals residing near the Pandharkawda forest celebrating Avni’s death have gone viral on social media. Visuals released online show locals bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

#Maharashtra: Locals in Yavatmal celebrate after 'man-eater' tigress Avni (T1) was killed in last night. She had allegedly killed 14 people. pic.twitter.com/wxN0yvT0Xw — ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Meanwhile, Avni’s funeral was held in Nagpur earlier today.

(Visuals from Avni's funeral; Picture Credits: BCCL)

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