Tigress that gave birth to litter of 3 eats 2 dead cubs | India News – Times of India

DEHRADUN: The tigress that gave birth to three cubs despite having a snare stuck across her stomach, at the rescue centre of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), has consumed two of its cubs after they died, reserve authorities said.

A three-member expert panel paid a visit to the Dhela rescue and rehabilitation centre in the reserve on July 19, with an aim to assess the condition of the tigress and its cubs. They found the tigress in good health, but came to know that one of the cubs had died. The second cub showed signs of illness later that day and despite the efforts to save it, succumbed possibly during the night. To ensure the safety of the tigress and one surviving cub, the authorities decided not to disturb them. When they went to retrieve the carcasses of the cubs the next day, they didn’t find them there.
“During the inspection the next day, the dead cubs were not found in the cell. We are assuming that following cannibalistic behaviour, the tigress had consumed the dead cubs, which is not uncommon behaviour among carnivores including tigers,” read a press statement.