The deceased tiger cubs aged 3-4 months old were last sighted on Thursday in compartment no: 265. The compartment number is just 3 km away from gate number 185 where the tigress T75 was found dead on November 30, 2022. The cubs were reportedly being monitored by the team of RFO Sheoni and staff along with PRT members.
The presence of a male tiger was evident on the spot. The four deceased cubs out of which two were male and two were female, were found wounded with bite injuries and apparently might have been killed by the male tiger.
The officials claim that there is a presence of two males and another female in the same area due to which the identity of the mother is not confirmed. The cubs are being taken to Treatment Transit Centre Chandrapur for post-mortem and further medical examination.
Tissue samples of all the cubs and the dead tigress will be analyzed by DNA identification methods and the identity of the mother and cubs will be confirmed.
The movement and presence of other tigers will be intensely monitored in the area by placing camera traps and by deploying field personnel.