2 tiger cubs die in 3 days:Post-mortem finds empty stomachs; starvation suspected in Kanha

Within just three days, two male tiger cubs died in the Sarhi Zone of Kanha Tiger Reserve. Both these cubs belonged to the famous tigress Amahi (T-141) and were approximately 12 months old. Following this incident, questions have been raised about the park’s security and monitoring system. A shocking fact revealed in the post-mortem report is that the stomachs of both cubs were completely empty. This suggests that their death might have been due to hunger. The first cub was found near Amahi Nala on April 21, while the second was found in Intaware Nala on April 24. Due to being in water, the second cub’s body was significantly decomposed. Cubs are dependent on their mother Experts say that cubs at one year of age cannot hunt on their own and depend on their mother for food. In such a situation, the question of why the tigress was unable to hunt has become significant. It is being reported that the tigress herself has become quite weak, and the management is now providing her with separate food (feed). Questions raised over the management’s proactiveness The park management had already received news of the first cub being weak, but by the time the elephant patrol team reached there, it had already died. The discovery of the second cub’s body three days later points to a major lapse in the management’s patrolling and monitoring. 9 tiger deaths in eight months The figures of tiger deaths in Kanha are alarming. In April alone, 3 tigers have died so far. Meanwhile, looking at the record of the last 8 months, 9 tigers and 5 leopards have died in the reserve. Kanha’s Deputy Director Prakash Kumar Verma says that the remaining two cubs and the tigress are being continuously monitored with the help of doctors. Currently, the viscera report is awaited, which will clarify the real cause of death.