News : Two tiger cubs died in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

An unidentified Big Cat killed two male sub-adult tigers at Ranthambore National Park. The age of these male sub-adult cubs was around one and a half years. Both the cubs were identified as litter of tigress T-79. Wildlife lovers have expressed mourns over the deaths of both the cubs. This is a tragedy in the history of Ranthambore wildlife.

On Tuesday, April 17, 2018, an adult male tiger attacked two tiger cubs and killed them in Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary of Ranthambore Tiger Project. Which tiger has attacked these cubs? It has not been detected yet. Both tiger cubs lived in the Avand region of Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary along with their mother. During this, an adult male tiger started infiltration there. He wanted to mate with their mother T-79. The cubs were hindered in this, which he did not tolerate and on Tuesday, the male tiger attacked the cubs. There was conflict between them in the afternoon. At around seven o'clock in the evening, the forest personnel went out on patrol and when they found the dead bodies of tiger cubs, they were stunned to see them.

Tiger cubs have injury marks on the neck. The male tiger had suppressed the neck of these cubs. Apart from this, their internal injuries have also occurred in the attack of the male tiger. This led to the death of the cubs and their bodies were found at Aanwad-ki-Khad near Chambal river of Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). As per the sources that bodies of dead tiger cubs have been kept in Kundal-Naka near Rajbagh Choki of Ranthambore National Park and the postmortem will be conducted on Wednesday.

There is also a doubt of forest department that a male tiger who killed these sub adults was trying to make his own territory. For the last several years, the number of tigers has increased in Ranthambore National Park (RNP), due to which territorial disputes are rising in tigers. It is believed that the tiger delimitate the area of 10-12 sq km into its territory, where it does not allow the opponent to enter.

The sources of the forest department said, "The two sub-adults were born to T-79 and their photograph was taken in month of May last year. Due to lack of space in the sanctuary, they were living next to the Chambal river area. It is suspected that an unknown male tiger killed him when he came to drink water in the area.

As per the Wildlife Experts – "Tigress T -79 is the daughter of T -13 old Sultanpur female, a very renowned tigress of zone 10 in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Tigress T 13 has given many litters to Ranthambore wildlife Sanctuary and is still dominating at the age of 13. The dead cubs were born to T 79 whose probable father is T 42 Fateh. It's sad that Fateh's lineage hasn't been that great as perhaps these dead cubs were his first litter and one female cub with T 13 was the second. T-42 Fateh has lost two males who would have probably taken over after Fateh. It is likely to be said that the Male tiger T 77 who was few days back patrolling in zone 10 could have killed the two cubs. T 77 is the son of T 26 a.k.a Sharmili. T 77's footprints were tracked a while back in zone 10 however since few days they weren't. Probably he invaded T 79's area and killed the cubs that came in his path."

The cause of conflict in tigers

Forest officials said that Sawai Madhopur area of Ranthambore Tiger Project is 900 square kilometers. In which, there are 65 tigers-tigress and their cubs roam, which is more than the area's potential, while this area is enough for 45 tigers only. On the other hand, the total area of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is 1700 square kilometers including Bundi, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur. Critical Tiger Habitat in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur is 1400 square kilometers. In such a situation, this place is not enough for tiger habitats. Due to which the tigers are going out from the park area or they are killed in the conflict for the territory.

There are 14 Tigers left in the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. As per the Forest official after the death of two cubs in Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary of Ranthambore Tiger Project, 14 tigers survived. These include 5 tigers, 6 tigers and 3 cubs while the Ranthambore tiger project area currently has 65 tigers.

It is very sad that three tigers have died in Ranthambore one month. Once you look at the statistics, On March 20 the male tiger T-28 had died after it was tranquilized while being rescued. 13-year-old male tiger T-28, known as "star" or "sitara", was being rescued from a village in the Khandar area, which is located in the periphery of the park. This tiger T28 had strayed near Chhaan village, where tiger had surrounded by villagers. After this, two Tigers have died in the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary area of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

Update on Saturday, 21 April, 2018

Both tiger cubs had eaten the carcass of the bull before dying, Poisoning suspected

The Two thirteen month old male cubs were found dead at Anwad ki Khard in Ranthambore on Tuesday. They were litters of Tigress T-79 and for the first time in May last year, the cubs were captured in the camera. But there is still no clear disclosure of the reason for the death of these two Tiger cubs.

Forest department has registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act against unknown criminals in connection with the mysterious death of two cubs in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. But wildlife experts disagree with this claim of the authorities. They claimed that these cubs were killed by a male tiger, there is no sign of claws marks. Officials initially doubted the reasons behind death as a territorial dispute. However, The Forest Department later claimed that only a detailed investigation can tell the right cause behind twins. Chief Wildlife Warden also said that after inspection, nothing unusual was found around this.

Dr. Dharmendra Khandal, who is a member of State Wildlife Board, was present at the time of post mortem. He said that "I do not believe that a male tiger killed the cubs because there was no canine or claws marks on their carcass and their bones were intact."

He also confirmed that the cubs had eaten a bull before they died. The pieces of the skin of the bull were seen in their stomach. Even Rangers of Ranthambore said that the cubs and the tigress had eaten a bull on Monday. Dr. Khandhal said that after getting forensic report, the reason for death would be clear.

One source claimed that one or two days before, a bull fell unconscious and later he died in around Anwad ki Khard area. The cubs were in the surrounding areas and they ate the bovine meat, which was caught in the camera trap. The bodies of the cubs were found 500-700 meters away from where Bovine died, which indicates the possibility of toxicity.

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