Big cat remains found in Tadoba Andhari reserve, Maya the tigress feared dead

Tigress T-12, popularly known as Maya, had gone missing from the reserve in August, and the report of DNA tests were awaited for ascertaining if these were her remains.

Celebrity tigress Maya feared dead

Mumbai: Maya, the famous and one of the most-photographed tigresses of India, is feared dead.

A celebrity of sorts, Maya or T-12, also known as ‘Queen of Tadoba’, was a resident of Pandharpauni core area of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.

Maya died of natural causes, according to the initial assessment of the Maharashtra Forest Department.

Maya was born in December 2010 to a tigress popularly known as Leela and tiger named Hilltop Tiger.

Since Maya gave birth five times - 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2022 - and contributed 13 cubs in total.

She was continuously captured in systematic camera trap exercises since 2014 and was last captured during Phase IV exercise during March-May 2023.

The last time Maya was spotted by TATR patrolling staff was in Panchdhara area near Tadoba lake in August.

Chief Conservator of Forest and TATR Field Director Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar has launched a foot-patrol and combing operations in search of Maya.

“On November 18 2023, the combing teams located the remains of a tiger in compartment number 82 of Tadoba beat of Tadoba range. The remains consisted of skeleton of the tiger and was scattered in the area of about 100 meters radius. All the remains were carefully gathered together, and samples were collected for DNA analysis by the wildlife veterinarian and biologist for further analysis. According to the wildlife veterinarian the remains were in a very advanced stage of decomposition and not fit for further postmortem examination. Also, the tiger has apparently died due to natural causes considering the location of the remains and absence of any human activity in the area,” the MFD said.

The samples were sent for DNA analysis to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru.

The reports of the same are expected to arrive by November 30.

As part of the search, the entire area of Tadoba and Kolara ranges , known to be her territory and movement area, was covered during this exercise. In the process, 10 different tigers (6 females and 7 males), namely T 07, T 114, T 115, T158, T16, T 120, T 138, T 164, T 168, T 181 and T 100 were captured in her territory since October 8 2023. However, T 12 was not captured in the area giving rise to the possibility of her absence in the area.

As a last resort, an intensive foot patrolling cum combing operation was carried out from 16-18 November, with the help of all the frontline staff of the TATR core area, which found the remains.