On the evening of 29th April 2025, I received an urgent call from the Lahorijan Anti-Poaching Camp (APC) staff, reporting the detection of two tiger cubs inside the 10th Addition of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve. The cubs were found inside a bush within a woodland patch. The staff were concerned about the potential presence of the mother, a known threat due to the protective nature of a tigress with cubs.

The incident was immediately reported to Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, KNP&TR, and Mr. Khagesh Pegu, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Biswanath Wildlife Division. Given the vulnerability of the cubs, both officials advised me to visit the area personally the next day and consult with Dr. Panjit Basumatary, a wildlife veterinarian experienced in rescue and rehabilitation from the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC), jointly run by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.

The following day, I, along with my team from Central Range, Biswanath Ghat, reached Bihpukhuri village—a fringe village along the southern boundary of the 10th Addition—by 9:30 AM. Together with the Lahorijan APC team, we entered the area through the southwestern route, walking through dense woodland interspersed with grassy patches. I instructed the team to exercise utmost caution due to the potential presence of the tigress nearby. Dr. Panjit, who was on the phone at that time, advised scanning the area thoroughly but with minimal disturbance.

Upon arriving at the location, we found one cub resting under a dense bush undergrowth, and thick leaf litter. There was no sign of the second cub. Despite attempts, no pugmarks were found due to the dense ground cover.
While retreating from the site, we noticed a foul smell nearby and discovered the carcass of a cow, suggesting the tigress may have stockpiled food prior to giving birth. Dr. Panjit confirmed that this was common and the tigress may have already shifted one cub and would likely return for the other.

The KNP & TR team inspecting the area for any signs of the female tiger.

We identified three approach routes to the bush and decided to install one camera trap per route to document any movement of the tigress. To prevent human interference, we deployed security teams to Bihpukhuri and Kathanibari, sealing the forest entry points. Monabarie Tea Estate authorities also assisted us in convincing the local communities residing nearby not to venture near the 10th Addition area. The village secretaries, TE Mohoris and our staff visited every house and advised them not to venture near the forest areas. Following expert advice, the area was left undisturbed for 48–72 hours post-camera installation.

At 6:00 AM on 2nd May, Dr. Panjit instructed me to revisit the site to check whether the cub had been retrieved by its mother. If not, he advised feeding it a glucose solution using a bottle, ideally between 10:00 to 11:00 AM, a window of minimal tigress activity.
By 9:30 AM, my team, equipped with protective gear from Sonitpur East Division, reached Bihpukhuri. We entered the forest with caution, praying silently for the cub’s safety. Upon reaching the site, we found that the cub was not there.

Nearby impressions at the entrance of the bush indicated that an animal had entered. One of my staff suggested it might be the tigress. To confirm, I asked my team to retrieve footage from the camera traps. However, we initially faced technical issues, but just as we were about to exit and check the footage at the office, we were able to finally access the data on our phones.

To our relief, the camera trap captured three photographs, showing a tigress approaching the bush at 1:00 PM on 1st May 2025, and departing at 1:02 PM with the cub in her mouth. These images confirmed the successful reunion of the cub with its mother.
I immediately relayed the good news to Dr. Panjit, DFO Mr. Pegu, and Field Director Dr. Sonali Ghosh. The team exited the forest by 11:30 AM, smiles all around, filled with relief and satisfaction. Dr. Panjit remarked that this was a great example of the saying, “A mother’s care is the best care,” highlighting that every mother is instinctively concerned about her young.

The Tigress gently carries her cub to safety.

The coordinated effort between the forest department, wildlife experts, and frontline staff ensured minimal disturbance to the tigress while confirming the well-being of her cubs. Dr Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, expressed, “the reunion of the tiger cub with its mother marks a successful example of field-based conservation, teamwork, and scientifically guided wildlife management”.

by Nayan Jyoti Gogoi, RFO, Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve