Mysore/Mysuru: Forest staff have found carcasses of two tiger cubs during the tiger estimation exercise at D.B. Kuppe Range in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Tuesday morning. It is suspected that a male tiger may have killed the cubs in the absence of the tigress.

On spotting the carcasses of the cubs, the Forest staff immediately informed their higher officials, who immediately rushed to the spot along with the veterinarian and conducted an inspection.

The dead cubs are said to be 8-10 months old. One of the dead cubs is a female, while the gender of the other cub could not be established as most of its body was eaten away by other wild animals. Samples have been sent to the lab for DNA tests and the gender of the other cub can be established only after receiving the reports.

This year’s National Tiger Estimation (Census) programme is being undertaken with an expectation that Karnataka will be in the number one position for having the highest number of tigers.

It is alleged that the Forest Department authorities were trying to hush up the death of the two cubs.

Meanwhile, wildlife activists said that the Forest officials, who used to upload even a small incident on social media platform, have not uploaded the death of the two tiger cubs and alleged that none of the officials received the calls made to them to enquire about the deaths, which gives rise to speculations.

The tiger cubs were cremated in the presence of Forest officials and others.