Rajasthan: Tigress ST-12 gives birth to triplets once again at Sariska

Image tweeted by Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot
JAIPUR: Six-year-old tigress ST-12 has given birth to triplets one more time in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), making her the mother of six cubs born in different litters in the last two years. This is a record for any tigress to have six surviving cubs in STR.

In 2018, the tigress for the first time set a record of giving birth to triplets in the history of STR. A senior forest official said, “Born in 2014, this is the second time ST-12 has given birth to triplets. The tigress mated with ST-13. The total number of tigers in the Sariska reserve now stands at 20 (sic).”

Now, more than a quarter of STR’s tiger population comprises the offspring of ST-12. The mother along with the newborns was captured in a trap camera recently installed near the water body in Taalvraksh range of STR.

CM tweeted image of tigress and cubs

Taking to Twitter, chief minister Ashok Gehlot shared the image of the tigress and her cubs, and wished that wildlife thrives in the state. He tweeted, “Amid Corona concern, tigress ST-12 gives good news. Three new cubs have been camera trapped in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Now there are 20 tigers in Year 2020 in #Sariska. My wish is to see the wildlife thrive in the state.”

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) member and BJP MP Diya Kumari also tweeted: “Amid #CoronaOutbreak, Delighted to hear that Tigress ST-12 has given birth to 3 cubs at Sariska Tiger Reserve. May the wildlife thrive in the state (sic).”

STR, infamous for poaching, has finally scripted a remarkable success story in tiger conservation, as four cubs have been born inside the park this year during the lockdown. On March 30, ST-10 was spotted with its newborn for the first time in Taalvraksh range.

Dinesh Verma Durani, founder and general secretary of Sariska Tiger Foundation, said the news has come as a respite for the STR after the death of a few tigers in the park in the past two years. “Birth of four cubs within a year will give a fresh lease of life to the reserve. Sariska has tremendous potential and I congratulate the forest administration for their efforts,” he said.

The 20 tigers of STR are eight females, three males, five sub-adults and four cubs.