Maharashtra: Elephant freed to hunt man-eater tigress kills woman
What's the story
The operation to catch the man-eater tigress of Maharashtra's Yavatmal and her two cubs got into trouble, when an elephant freed for the operation, ran amok and trampled a woman to death at Chahand village in Ralegao tahsil on Wednesday.
The pachyderm was one of the five elephants engaged in the operation.
It also attacked a 70-year-old-man before officials caught and chained it.
Details
What actually happened?
"The elephant apparently freed himself and traveled about twenty kilometers. The woman, Archana Kudsange, 35, was killed by him when she was reportedly attending nature's call," said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) AK Mishra.
"It's a matter of investigation on how the elephant managed to decamp... It is certainly a setback to the operation and we will have to re-strategize it," he added.
Regular offender
This was not the first time Gajraj created havoc
The elephant, named Gajraj, had been called for the operation from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The elephant had allegedly created trouble earlier in March after decamping in a similar fashion and injuring one person.
This has raised the question as to why was the same elephant called for the operation again.
However, officials denied knowledge of any such previous incidents involving Gajraj.
The tigress
What about the man-eater tigress?
The man-eater tigress, named T-1 or Avani, has, till now, allegedly killed at least 14 people in Pandharkawda and Ralegaon regions over the last two years.
The state Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife, also issued a shoot-at-sight order last month.
However, after Union Minister Maneka Gandhi' intervention and animal rights activists' protest, sharpshooter Shafath Ali Khan was removed from the operation.
Information
Mahout to be suspended if found guilty
Meanwhile, Chief Conservator of Forest PG Rahurkar has assured the angry villagers that the elephants' mahout will be suspended within seven days if found guilty in the inquiry. He also assured to provide daily wage employment to the deceased woman's husband.