The four orphaned cubs of Tigress P-213 have proven to be a mystery for wildlife lovers to understand the tigers’ behaviour and survival in dire circumstances at the Panna Tiger Reserve. The survival story of the orphaned cubs, which is one of its kind, has became a case study for the Forest Department and wildlife enthusiasts to learn about further management of orphan cubs. Field Director of Panna Tiger Reserve, Uttam Kumar Sharma, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, informed that the survival of 9-month-old orphaned cubs being cared by male tiger P-243 was really a rare case of its kind. Study of this case is a new experience for wildlife lovers and Forest Department as well. It will be helpful for management of orphaned cubs at tiger reserves in future.

 

He added that a month has passed since the death of tigress P213-32, mother of four cubs. Currently, all her four cubs are healthy and making good in the wild. They don’t seem to be stressed, instead they are playful and quite active. All the four cubs are staying and roaming together. They now have a territory within which they move just less than 1 square kilometre. Cubs are not seen hunting any live prey till now. They eat if the kill is available in their territory as provided by their father P243 or of any other carnivore. The PTR administration is closely observing the movements and activities of cubs and behaviour of Tiger P243. The tiger is moving in the area keeping a close vigil over the cubs. Seems to be a caring father though it has been observed that P243 has not taken cubs with him to the kills he has made at places away from cub’s territory. However, one incident is important to note.

 

Earlier on May 21, when P243 made a Sambhar kill within the cub’s territory, it shared the kill with the cubs as cubs could reach up to the kill. On June 6, P243 killed a cow early in the morning near a village little away from cub’s territory, but did not eat it. Cubs did not go to the place of kill as it seemed outside the their territory. For the whole day, though P243 remain in the area but did not eat the kill. A little support was provided from Park management in bringing kill inside cub’s territory, and cubs had a feast for next two days. P243 did not bother them but remained in the area.