Two tiger cubs found dead

Two tiger cubs were found dead on two consecutive days in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, Forest Department officials said on Friday.

Both the carcasses were recovered from Jhila jungle under Bagna range office and belong to the same litter, Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve director Pradeep Vyas told PTI. He said both the bodies bore no external injury marks but had signs of drowning.

“All body parts are intact and it looks like a suspected case of liver infection. We do not suspect any foul play,” Mr. Vyas said.

The first carcass was found on Thursday after which forest guards started a combing operation in the area. During the day, they found another carcass at a spot closer to the first one.

Forest officials have not been able to track the mother of the cubs, which are over a year old.

The forest official said the cubs might have separated from their mother tiger while crossing the river.

According to the last census, Sundarbans is home to 76 tigers. - PTI