Department monitoring big cat & cub; both reported to be healthy
Saturday, 22 July 2023 | PNS | RAMNAGAR
The joy experienced a few days ago when a rescued tigress gave birth to three cubs in Corbett tiger reserve turned to sorrow after it was ascertained that two of the cubs had died. The authorities are now monitoring the tigress and her lone surviving cub round the clock. According to Forest department officials, both are in good health at present.
It is pertinent to mention here that a three-member expert panel visited the Dhela rescue and rehabilitation centre in Corbett tiger reserve and checked the tigress in question on July 19. The tigress had given birth to two cubs on July 17 and one cub on the next day. The expert panel found the tigress healthy but one of its cubs was found to be dead. On the same day, the second cub was found to be displaying symptoms of being unwell in the evening and it died possibly late in the night. Considering the safety of the tigress and her only living cub, the bodies of the two dead cubs were not retrieved from near the big cat. On July 20, the bodies of the dead cubs were not found during an inspection of the enclosure. Considering this, it is being surmised that the tigress cannibalised the carcasses of the two cubs which is not uncommon among carnivores. The department is consistently monitoring the tigress and her cub with CCTV cameras also being installed in the enclosure. As on Friday, the tigress and her cub appeared to be healthy and the big cat was also taking her diet normally.
