03 Jan, 2019

A Boost to the Tiger Population in Ranthambore National Park after Officials Spotted 4 Tiger Cubs

New Year brings in good news in Ranthambore National Park as the forest officials spotted four new tiger cubs inside the Park. The tiger cubs are believed to be of tigress T-84 and tigress T-69.

What’s the Story?

This is the second litter of tigress T-69. Earlier, she gave birth to a cub. Tigress T-84, also known as Arrowhead, had given birth to two tiger cubs last year. However, the cubs disappeared, leading authorities to believe it to be natal mortality.

The Heart of the Matter

Tigress T-69 with her Cubs

Forest officials discovered 4 tiger cubs in the Ranthambore National Park. Tigress T-69 was spotted with her two cubs at the Gilasagar, close to the Khandar range. Tigress T-84, who is three-and-a-half years old, was spotted with her two cubs at Jhalra, near the Ranthambore Fort. Tigress T-84 was spotted with her cubs during an evening safari.

The birth of four tiger cubs has taken the total tiger population in Ranthambore National Park to 72 which includes, 20 male, 25 female and 25 cubs. Earlier in October, Tigress T-63 was spotted with her two cubs in the Ranthambore National Park. Tigress T-63 is the daughter of Krishna T-19. This was T-63’s second litter. In the year 2015-2016, Tigress T-63 had given birth to two female cubs.

Earlier last year, Tigress T-83, also known as Lightning, was spotted with her two cubs in the Ranthambore National Park. Lightning is the daughter of India’s most iconic and loved tigress- Macchli. Macchli passed away in 2016 because of the old age.

Tiger Crisis in Other States

The data released at the end of the year revealed that a total of 23 tiger deaths occurred in Madhya Pradesh and 20 in Maharashtra in the year 2018. Raising a doubt on the tiger protection efforts in India, these deaths have raised serious questions about the management of tiger population in the tiger reserves in India. In a time of such crisis, the news of 4 new tiger cubs has come as a ray of hope for the tiger conservationists in India.

What Lies Ahead?

The forest officials are keeping a close eye on the development of the four tiger cubs in Ranthambore National Park. The forest officials are working round the clock to ensure that no threats are posed to the newborn tiger cubs in Ranthambore National Park.

Writer- Ashwini Kumar Singh