Madhya Pradesh tigress 'Collarwali' sets a record of delivering 30 cubs

BHOPAL: Supermom ‘Collarwali’ – the incredibly fertile tigress at Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve – has delivered four more cubs. This is her 8th litter and she has so far mothered an amazing 30 cubs — a record for any tigress in Madhya Pradesh . Nicknamed by visitors because of her radio collar, the latest litter is again a boost to the tiger introduction programme in the state that has lost 28 tigers in the last few months.“The tigress was spotted with her new cubs by tourists recently. They are all very small but in good health,” said a forest officer confirming that that this was Collarwali’s eighth litter.Referred to as ‘Queen of Pench’ and ‘Pench princess’, Collarwali was one of the four cubs of famous tigress ‘Barimada’, who was featured in the famous documentary titled ‘Spy in the Jungle’ by BBC network. She was also the first of Barimada’s cubs to establish her territory in the core area of her mother’s range, experts said.The tigress littered three cubs for the first time in May 2008. But, as an inexperienced mother, she could not protect them from the harsh climate. All three cubs died of pneumonia within 24 days, recalls a forest officer.In October 2008, she produced her second litter – four cubs including three males. All survived. Experts claim she has used 13 different sites to rear her three litters and most of the times it was caves.Between 2008 and 2013, Collarwali gave birth to 18 cubs, of which 14 survived. In 2015, the tigress gave birth to four more cubs in its sixth litter.Pench is now home to more than 60 adult tigers. A male tiger translocated from Pench reserve had also led to successful reintroduction project of tiger in Panna tiger reserve. Devoid of its tiger population that fell to poaching and other reasons, Panna is a model in tiger reintroduction, with a population of more than 25 big cats.“This is the 8th time she has given progeny which is the only known record. She was born in 2004-05 and in span of 15 years is still very healthy given 3-4 cubs. If we count her contribution along with progeny by her cub’s total number it may reach more than 50 tigers. Tiger is prolific breeder and future of tiger is bright if we manage our habitat with like I did while establishing the Pench tiger reserve during 2001-2004 as field director Pench tiger reserve. All praise to our staff from old to present in keeping habitat management in proper lines,” said Dr R G Soni.