Campaign to capture tigress T-6 called off after 4 cubs spotted in Maharashtra
After male tiger CT1, which also claimed 15-17 lives in a year, was dramatically captured on October 14, T6 was also the most sought-after tigress.
Nagpur: T6, a problem tigress of Gadchiroli who has killed eight people this year, The tigress has given birth to four cubs, forcing forest teams to call off their drive to capture her.
T6 occupies Porla range of Wadsa division and Chittagong of the Gadchiroli division. The area of T6 is also limited to 30-40 sq km.
After male tiger CT1, which also claimed 15-17 lives in a year, was dramatically captured on October 14, T6 was also the most sought-after tigress. At least three separate teams worked to capture the beast but T6 remained elusive.
Trapping T6 had become very challenging as there are many tigers in the same area who are not involved in the killings. Many baits have been planted in those places, Where T-6 was recorded in the camera trap, but the tigress did not kill any bait, due to which the officials were forced to change the strategy.
Gadchiroli conservator of forests (CF) Kishore Mankar told TOI that T6 has given birth to four cubs. “The cubs are about four months old and were recently recorded in camera traps. We have also completely called off the operation to capture the animal and will submit a report to PCCF (Wildlife) Maheep Gupta.”
Capturing T6 would have orphaned the cubs
The tigress roams through a fragmented landscape in the Wadsa and Gadchiroli forest divisions. The latest victim of this tigress was also a woman from Ambeshivani village.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (DYCF), Wadsa, Dharamveer Salvitthal said, “This is the first time the cubs have been captured on camera. A female tigress is very protective of her cubs. The attack was probably when the victims expected to go deep inside the forest.”
According to officials, the sighting of the cubs happened at the right time. “Capturing T6 would have orphaned the cubs as well. We can’t take the risk now. Earlier, the grown cubs have spread towards Allapalli, Dhanora, Bedgaon range and even towards Chhattisgarh.”
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