BTR hopeful of seeing 20 new cubs in near future!
   Date :16-Jul-2019
 
 
 
By Ankita Garg
With sighting of five pairs of tigers in different areas of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), park officials are delighted enough. If all goes well, about 20 new tiger cubs are expected in the park by end of October this year. Though tiger reserves across State are closed in monsoon but wildlife enthusiast have got another reason to visit the park. Park officials have not shared the image of tigers for safety purpose but they are equally thrilled to see the rising number of big cats in the reserve areas.
 
 
Confirming the report of tigers living in pairs at different areas of the reserve, BTR Field Director Mridul Pathak said, “I have been informed by the patrolling staff about pair of tigers. If all goes well, the reserve would be witnessing about 20 cubs by October. Monsoon is breeding period of feline and after closing the park for tourist, human interference stops completely.” According to BTR officials, a pair of tigers is living together in Magadhi zone for past fifteen days. The pair is spending most of time under a tree. The pair has also killed an herbivore together. In camera trap, reserve officials witnessed the couple of tigers eating the prey together which is a good sign. Later, the pair went to the particular tree together after finishing the prey.
 
 
Besides, another pair is living together in Andhiyari Jhariya area of Tala zone. Patrolling staff of the area informed that a tiger and tigress is witnessing together throughout day and night hours. A pair is also wandering together very close to Mukunda camp of Tala zone. The pair of big cat was earlier absconded from the area for three to four days but for past one week they are back to the camp area. Two other pairs of tigers are active in Tala zone of the reserve. Villagers of Majhkheta informed the forest officials that a pair of tiger is wandering together at Hardiya area from June 28. Besides, in Manahaman area, a female and male tiger are living together in a den. The pair spends several hours together and kill their prey together.
 
 
Patrolling team has spotted five pairs of tigers together at different places. There are about 25 female and 66 male tigers in the reserve. Forest officials said that there are more than 100 tigers in the reserve. While a few tigresses are being spotted with the cubs, many of them are of old age. There are about ten young female tigers in the reserve.