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Maharashtra forest department to trap tigress Avni's cubs with extra caution

AVOIDING MISTAKES: Team has set up camp to lure two cubs into a cage

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Forest officials say the safest way to capture cubs is to trap them
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In order to check the psychological and physical health of tigress Avni's cubs, a team of the Maharashtra State Forest Department has camped at Pandharkawda in Yavatmal district to set up two trap cages to lure the cubs. Avni was shot dead on November 2, by Asghar, son of controversial Hyderabad-based hunter, Nawab Shafath Ali Khan.

After Avni's death, authorities are taking extra care in handling her cubs. According to a senior official of the forest department, setting up cages to capture any animal is always considered a safer option than tranquilising them. "Trap cages are another option we are considering to tranquilising the two cubs who are currently well settled and were even hunting downs baits that we are tying up. The idea to set up trap cages will also ensure that there is no use of any chemical to sedate the cubs," said the officer hinting that with so much controversy surrounding the death of Avni, they did not want to take further risks while trying to capture the two cubs.

Another forest official said that they will set the trap and will keep the bait inside. They will allow the cubs to hunt the bait and move out. "We will not try and trap them in their first attempt as they enter the cages as if they manage to escape before the trap door shuts they will be wary of entering the trap next time onwards. The idea is to first let them get comfortable with the trap cages and then catch them when they are not expecting the trap doors to shut," said the official, adding that this is just another option being tried out.

Both the cubs hunted a pony on November 19, and then hunted a goat and their movement was being monitored on a daily basis. "We will set up the next bait and even keep a cage near by after which we will start placing the bait inside the cages and allow then to hunt and exit," said a forest staff.

Once the cubs are trapped as per protocol, a committee of experts will be formed under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines and the committee will take a decision about the future of the cubs. The forest department is keen that the cubs don't spend rest of their lives in captivity but n their natural habitat.

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