01 November,2023 01:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
TATR authorities are extending their search for her to the surrounding areas. Representation pic
Despite installing over 100 cameras to monitor the activities of Maya, the renowned tigress of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), she has not been spotted in any of the camera traps for two weeks. As a result, the TATR authorities are extending their search for her to the surrounding buffer areas.
A forest department official from TATR said, "We have not yet spotted Maya in any of the camera traps placed in her territory. We will now explore the connected buffer areas to track the tigress." The last time forest department officials spotted Maya was on September 25, 2023, in the territory where she has been roaming. But at the end of September, the forest department staff spotted another tigress named Chhoti Tara roaming in Maya's territory.
On October 13, mid-day had published a news report (Maharashtra: Search on for missing Maya) in which it was stated that how wildlife lovers who have been visiting the TATR have been concerned as Maya, one of the most famous and photographed wild tigresses in the world, hasn't been spotted for nearly two weeks. Forest department officials and experts believe that she may have delivered cubs in seclusion and more than 100 cameras were set up to track her down.
The tourists who flocked to the sanctuary in Chandrapur district when it was opened to the public after the monsoon season in October were eager to spot Maya. However, Maya remained elusive. Forest department officials had even installed several camera traps in Maya's territory to track her movement.
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The exact date of birth of Maya (T-15) is unknown, but people who have been visiting TATR and photographing her say that she must have been born in 2010-2011. So far, Maya has given birth five times to a total of 15 cubs. However, only a few of them have managed to reach adulthood as they were killed by dominant males who were competing with each other to mate with the tigress.
100
No. of camera traps placed in the reserve
