3 Tiger Cubs Dead In Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris, Toll At 10 In Over A Month As Concerns Rise
Three more tiger cubs died in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris amid an alarming spate of deaths as a total of 10 tigers have been found lifeless in a span of just over a month.
The tranquil Nilgiri forests, renowned for their thriving tiger population, have borne witness to a series of fatalities as three more tiger cubs, hailing from the Segur range forest near Chinna Coonoor village, approximately 13 kilometers from Tamil Nadu's Ooty, perished on Tuesday. The Nilgiris district is witnessing an alarming spate of deaths as a total of 10 tigers have been found lifeless in a span of just over a month, The Hindu reported.
According to the publication's report, one cub was discovered dead on Sunday evening. A subsequent search of the area on Tuesday showed three more cubs, two of which were dead, while one was severely weak. Despite treatment, the cub ultimately succumbed on the same evening.
"The rescued tiger cub, aged about 2 months was found to be extremely dehydrated. Forest veterinarian provided intensive medical care to stabilise the ailing tiger cub. Despite all best efforts to stabilise the vitals of the rescued tiger cub, it succumbed to severe dehydration on 19.09.23," a statement issued by the Forest Department informed, news agency PTI reported.
Notably, the cub found lifeless on Sunday was spotted in Kadanad, positioned at the interface of the Nilgiris forest division and the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). A postmortem examination conducted on Monday indicated signs of malnutrition.
D. Venkatesh, Field Director of MTR and Conservator of Forests (Nilgiris), informed about the immediate actions taken by officials. "We immediately formed teams to perambulate the area and search for the mother and three other cubs that had been spotted in the area on September 14th," he explained, as quoted by The Hindu.
The presence of a sambar deer carcass in the vicinity raised suspicions that it may have fallen prey to the adult tiger believed to be the mother of the four cubs. Camera traps have been placed near the carcass to monitor the situation and find the mother tiger to ascertain its health condition.
Intensive efforts to locate the adult tigress are currently underway, with two teams of forest personnel, including individuals from Gudalur, diligently patrolling the area, the report stated. It is speculated that the mother of the cubs may be MDT234, an adult tigress frequently sighted in Segur and Kadanad in recent years.
Nilgris Tiger Deaths: Alarming Rate Of Poisoning And Poaching In 3 To 4 Months, Says Conservationist
Nevertheless, concerns have emerged within the conservation community regarding the potential causes of these tiger cub fatalities.
Vijay, the state convenor for the United Conservation Movement, has raised questions about starvation, the absence of adult tigers, and even the specter of poaching or poisoning, PTI reported.
"Tiger population in Nilgiris has increased but off late in the three months, we found that nine tigers have been dead including four cubs. Out of which, three were found today," he told PTI.
"Off late we find that newly-appointed officials don't have expertise in the landscape. Surveillance and protection of wildlife have gone down in these areas, especially in Nilgiris. We found an alarming rate of poisoning and poaching in the last three to four months. The government has to take strict action and appoint new officials to these vulnerable areas," he added.
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