Tigers of Central India

[Ashutosh]

This is Patlinbai female with 2 cubs about 9-10 months old fathered by Dadiyal male in Sirkada buffer:

This is 3 year old Bhima, son of Patlibai and Dadiyal male from her previous litter:

Here they are together at a lake: Mother, 2 cubs from present litter and son from older litter:

This phenomenon of a male cub staying behind to help his mother raise a litter has been observed from 4 other reserves. So, the question then is, has this always been happening or is it something that tigers have evolved recently?

It seems like a bargain trade off. The male tiger can safely build himself by the time he leaves for good, while the female has a guaranteed baby-sitter which means she can go along and hunt and mark her territory with no concern about returning to the cubs. Reply