Two tiger cubs found dead in Ranthambhore National Park

JAIPUR: Two tiger cubs were on Sunday found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Ranthambhore National Park (RNP) in Rajasthan's Sawaimadhopur district, 175 km from here, a top wildlife official said.

"Carcasses of two male cubs were spotted near Taleda village located in the North of RNP along with two carcasses of goats," R N Mehrotra, the state chief wildlife warden, said.

The cause of their death was yet to be ascertained, he said, adding that, however, that prima facie it seemed like a case of poisoning.

When asked to clarify whether it was a poaching incident, he said it was too early to draw such a conclusion.

The carcasses have been sent for post-mortem. According to a census conducted by the forest department in May 2009, there were 40 tigers in and around Ranthambore National Park and Sawai Madhopur wildlife sanctuary.

Meanwhile, People for Animal (NGO) state convenor Babulal Jaju demanded that a high-level probe be ordered into the deaths by the state government.