Strategy of Female Tigers to Avoid Infanticide

In felids, mortality caused by dominant males can affect life history characteristics, demography and reproductive success. When a dominant male is removed, an incoming male may kill offspring sired by the previous male to induce the resident female into oestrus. We had the opportunity to observe the infanticide avoidance responses of female tigers (Panthera tigris) to incoming males in the core area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), Rajasthan, during 2008-2010. In one case, following the disappearance of a dominant male tiger (TM-12) from the established territory of a female tiger (TF-13), the female tiger, accompanied by two cubs, immediately moved approximately 20 km away into riverine areas outside the protected area of RTR. In another case, a female (TF-04) died from a battle with a male while defending her cubs. These observations reveal the attempts of female tigers to avoid infanticide. Observations and results from behavioural decisions made by tigers are important to understand the species and the factors that facilitate their conservation.