Social media outcry over 'man-eater' Avni's killing

Some on social media push back with reminders about human lives lost

Animal lovers and wildlife experts were outraged by the killing of tigress T1, popularly known as Avni on Saturday. The tigress was shot dead by Ashgar Ali, the son of Hyderabad-based sharpshooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan.

Most of the users online were critical of the decision to kill the tigress that is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. Avni is survived by her two 10-month-old cubs.

The state government had spent several lakhs and tried everything from thermal drones, perfumes, sniffer dogs, paraglider and camera traps to capture Avni but to no avail. One user claimed that we were laying the foundation for our own destruction by killing wild animals and destroying their habitats.

One user alleged that the tigress had been eliminated to ensure that land could be allotted to certain corporate entities.

Wildlife experts had called for attempts to tranquilise and capturing Avni rather than eliminating her.

Experts now worry about the safety and security of the cubs, who have still not been found.

Some on social media pushed back against the outrage from environmentalists and others. They reminded people that this tiger may have been reponsible for 13 deaths.

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