Jaipur: Ten subadult tigers at Ranthambore National Park are awaiting identification codes, which are used to document specific animals and provide an objective, scientific system to track individuals, monitor populations and manage conservation efforts.All ten are at the age when young tigers start moving away from their mothers and seek independent territories – making animals without identification codes difficult for conservators to keep track of.Tiger cubs are generally assigned identification codes at two years of age. Besides tracking movement, the codes are key to helping forest officials maintain individual records as young tigers disperse across a reserve where competition for territory is growing.The cohort awaiting ID codes includes two cubs born to the tigress identified as T-125 in Aug 2024, another two born to T-103 in Oct 2024, four born to T-122 in Dec 2024 and two cubs of the now-dead tigress T-94, according to data cited by wildlife observers.Experts say timely identification is important because it gives each tiger a clear record and helps track its movement across areas. Delays, they add, can complicate monitoring, particularly for cubs in areas less frequented by tourists.Gaurav Bhardwaj, a wildlife observer, alleges that tigers in tourism zones receive greater attention from conservators and forest officials.“Last year, all subadults assigned identities were from tourism zones. This year, almost all cubs that are supposed to receive identities are from non-tourism zones. I have been observing monitoring patterns for the past year, and the focus on tigers in the latter zones appears comparatively lower,” he said.Another wildlife observer flagged the case of T-94’s two cubs. The tigress died in March, leaving the cubs without a mother.“These cubs have been left to fend for themselves. Without proper identification and monitoring, their survival could become a concern,” he said.Ranthambore DFO Manas Singh rejected the allegations, saying all tigers, including cubs, are routinely monitored, with weekly reports being sent to the chief wildlife warden.“Technically, tigers are assigned ID codes once they establish their territories. Three cubs will be assigned codes after Oct, while the remaining ones will be identified in due course as per protocol,” Singh said.He added that the department maintains weekly movement records and rejected claims that cubs were going unobserved or leaving the reserve without being tracked.
