Survival of Dispersed Orphaned Cubs of Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in Fragmented Habitat of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in India

Two orphaned tigers cubs aged 8-10 months of either sex were monitored over a period of one and half years between October 2008-March 2010 in the fragmented landscape of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), India. Both animals dispersed out into fragmented landscapes, however the male cub accidently ventured into human habitation and resulted in conflict. The cub was rescued and rehabilitated in an adjoining forest. The female cub dispersed naturally outside the national park area into Chambal ravines. Both the animals were monitored using camera trap and pugmark based tracking method during the study period. Both tiger cubs adapted well in the human dominated (fragmented) landscape, caused minimal conflict, and survived their first winter and summer till they attained the age of ≥ 24 months. This paper presents the survival of orphaned cubs in fragmented landscape and highlights the importance of translocation as a tool for alleviating conflict.