Sariska reserve gets tiger number 007


ALWAR: There is a new addition to her majesty's secret brood at Sariska tiger reserve and he's tiger number 007. Tigress ST-2, which was found with a cub on August 7, was spotted with yet another cub at Kalikhoh area of the reserve during the wee hours. The tiger relocation process at Sariska reserve, which began in 2008, continues to reap rewards and the new cub seems to be the latest result of the experiment.

In fact, on August 7, the authorities had anticipated that the number of cubs could be more than one. The total number of tigers in the reserve is now seven, including five adult tigers, out of which three are females.

"Tigress ST-2 and her two cubs were spotted in a camera trap installed in the forests at 3.56am on Sunday," said a wildlife official.

Spotting of the two cubs together has doubled the celebrations of wildlife week starting from Monday. In the morning, forest guards and officials distributed sweets after their speculation on the number of cubs turned out to be fact.

"These cubs appear to be of six to seven months old. By the age of 1, they will learn hunting from their mother," said an official. Spotting of the first cub of ST-2 on August 7 was the most celebrated moment of the reserve ever since airlifting of the big cats from Ranthambore to Sariska began in 2008.

ST-2 is the second big cat, and the first tigress, shifted to Sariska on July 4, 2008, from Ranthambore National Park. The first relocated tiger, ST-1, was poisoned to death in November 2010. The villagers, whose cattle graze in reserve, reportedly killed ST-1 after it attacked animals. She was flown by an IAF helicopter from Ranthambore to Sariska. Thereafter, two more tigresses were introduced — in February 2009 and July 2010. There are two males in the reserve now.


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