Third abandoned tiger cub missing, says Forest department

 While two of the three abandoned tiger cubs have died in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (NTR), there are reports that the third one too has died. The forest department, however, is maintaining that the cub is alive. 

In what experts say is a rare incident, three tiger cubs were abandoned by their mother on August 1, 2016.

The incident had created a divide among conservationists and forest department officials. Some conservationists wanted the forest department to hand-rear the cubs as they were just eight months old and could not hunt for themselves.

Others opined that they shouldn’t disturb the natural cycle. The forest department too followed the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines and did not disturb the cubs.

The first cub died on August 4 and the second on August 7. They died of starvation, weakness and distress, stated veterinarians.

G Ranga Rao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Project Tiger, told Deccan Herald the department was trying to trace the third cub.

“Around 20 camera traps have been placed in and around Antarsanthe Range of NTR to trace the cub. It is possible that the mother could have sighted it and picked it up or it could be surviving on leftovers of other animals. It is difficult to come to any conclusion. But so far, no carcass of any tiger cub has been found,” he said.

Nagarhole is spread across 643 sqkm and the animal was sighted in the tourism zone. Only speculation is being made of where the cub could have strayed, Rao said.

NTR director S Manikandan said that for the last three days, the department officials were unable to locate the cub. The last time the cub was sighted was in Bisilwadi of Antharsanthe range.

He said regular patrolling in the area also causes disturbance.