18 November,2023 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Maya (T-15) at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur. Pic/Sarosh Lodhi
The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) authorities on Friday launched a three-day foot patrol and combing operation to track down the tigress Maya. The big cat, one of the most famous and photographed wild tigresses in the world, has been missing for weeks.
So far, 100 camera traps have been set up by forest department officials to catch a glimpse of Maya.
TATR Field Director Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar said, "We've initiated a three-day foot patrol and combing operation in Maya's territory to search for clues. So far, her image hasn't been captured by camera traps."
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More than 100 forest department staff members are involved in the search operation.
Thick vegetation and bushes have sprung up everywhere in the wake of the monsoon, making the search operation even more challenging.
On October 13, mid-day, in its report âSearch on for missing Maya' revealed how wildlife lovers who have been visiting the TATR had been concerned as Maya hadn't been spotted for nearly two weeks. Forest department officials and experts believe that she may have delivered cubs in seclusion.
The sanctuary was opened to tourists on October 1, after the monsoon season, but none were able to spot Maya.
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 between 2010 and 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.
The last time forest department officials spotted Maya was on September 25. She was roaming on her territory at the time. At the end of that month, forest department staff spotted another tigress, Chhoti Tara, on Maya's territory.
