JAIPUR: The forest administration at Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), which earlier believed that tigress ST-14 has given birth to one cub, was elated to spot another cub in a trap camera.
Officials said according to the pictures captured in a trap camera around 2.11 am in Dabli village installed for monitoring, the tigress gave birth to two cubs. The six-year-old tigress gave birth to these cubs for the second time after she was born to tigress ST-2 at STR in 2014. ST-2 was the first tigress to join the reserve in Alwar district after she was flown by an Indian Air Force helicopter from Ranthambore on July 4, 2008. The forest administration, which was waiting for tiger population to grow at STR, were elated after learning that the tigress gave birth to two cubs.
Field director of Sariska Tiger Reserve RN Meena said, “The trap camera installed for monitoring captured ST-14 tigress with two two-months old cubs on December 15. Earlier, the tigress was captured with one cub. The tigress with cubs is safely residing in Dabli region from where 10 families were shifted recently.”
With the revelation the number of big cats has increased to 22 at STR. There are eight females, three males, five sub-adults and six cubs. STR, infamous for poaching, has finally scripted a remarkable success story in tiger conservation, as five cubs were born inside the park this year. In May 30, tigress ST-12 was spotted with triplets for the second time.
Wildlife lovers said the news has come as a respite for STR after the death of a few tigers in the park in the past two years. “Birth of six cubs within a year will give a fresh lease of life to the reserve. Sariska has tremendous potential and this would help wildlife tourism to grow at STR, which equally helps in conservation,” said a wildlife enthusiast.