Reproductive characteristics of female Bengal tigers,in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve,India

Reproductive characteristics of tigers (Panthera tigris) are important to understand population viability. We studied the reproductive parameters of female Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) in a dry, tropical, deciduous habitat in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), western India, from April 2005 to March 2010. We monitored tigers by direct observation and with cameras placed throughout their habitat. The potential breeding population included 13 adult females. The average age at first reproduction was 3.3 years; 34 cubs were born during the study period (6.2?±?0.82 per year). Sixty-six percent of the births occurred between October and December. Mean litter size was 2.26?±?0.52 (n?=?13, range?=?1–3). The sex ratio of 32 cubs was 1.29 M:1.00 F. The survival rate of cubs (<12 months) was 85 % (95 % CI?=?0.68–0.94), whereas that of juveniles (12–24 months), and subadults (24–36 months) was 79 % (95 % CI?=?0.61–0.91). All breeding females were >3 years old. Only 2 of the 13 females reproduced twice during the 5 years of the study. The birth interval was 33.4?±?3.7 months (range 24–65 months). The mean reproductive rate was 0.59?±?0.23 cubs/female/year. Our study indicates that tiger populations can grow rapidly if the habitat provides adequate protection, an adequate population of prey, and minimal to no poaching.