Cannibalism in Tigers

Cannibalism among tigers is a natural phenomenon linked to factors such as social organisation and territoriality, and unlike what some would like to believe, it is an occasional behaviour and poses no threat to the tiger population.

 

A tiger with a cub it partially cannibalised after it crushed the cub’s skull.

Another partially cannibalised cub.

The Kanha Tiger Reserve. Stringent protection, dense forest cover and waterbodies ensure excellent natal areas for tigresses.

Tigers also die unnoticed, of serious and infectious wounds.

A survivor whose wound is healing because it was treated in time.

Kanha’s most famous cat, Munna, with the letters CAT “emblazoned” on his forehead, now old, licking a wound caused by infighting.

The tigress (right) tried hard but could not save her two cubs from the male (left).

The tiger generally preys upon calves and small-sized Indian gaur, listed as vulnerable.

The entire core zone at Kanha has now become tranquil and inviolate for tigers.

Habitat improvement practices help build an excellent prey base for the tiger.

The increasing barasingha population indicates the health of grasslands.

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Infighting between adult tigers is often fierce and bloody, a scene in the Kanha Tiger Reserve. While a few adult tigers and cubs have been cannibalised partly in the past years, it does not mean there is dearth of prey for tigers in Kanha.