Today, Tiger Watch did an in depth analysis of the current status of Tigers in Ranthambhore. There is consistent discussion and debate on the notion that there are 71 Tigers in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, but that there is only space for 50-55 Tigers.

The correct conclusion can only be arrived at when statistics are taken into account.

1. First, understand that Ranthambhore is an area of 1700 sq kms, of which 650 sq kms are suitable for Tigers. The rest is not suitable because of human pressure.
   
   There are 2 divisions in the Tiger Reserve – Ranthambhore and Kailadevi
   
2. According to our data and analysis, the Kailadevi division has 5 Tigers while Ranthambhore has 57 Tigers. Therefore, that makes 62 Tigers in total, NOT 71.
   
3. Of these 62 tigers, 50 are adults and 12 are cubs.
   
4. There are 3 adults and 2 cubs in Kailadevi division. Therefore, that makes a total of 5 Tigers in Kailadevi.
   
5. Of the 57 Tigers in the Ranthambhore division, 10 are cubs, which are still do not have identification numbers ( for ex. T-XX) . Only 47 of these Tigers have unique ID numbers and you can consider these to be adults.
   
6. Even among the 47 ‘adult’ tigers in Ranthambhore division, 4 are still with their mothers, therefore in reality there are 43 adults in this division. The remaining 10+4=14 in this division are still with their mothers. However, 4 of these tigers are on the verge of leaving their mothers, therefore these can be considered adults.
   
7. Another popular notion is that there are too many male Tigers. However, If you examine the 47 adult tigers in Ranthambhore division, you will find 23 males and 24 females.
   
8. Among the total cubs in the Tiger Reserve, 10 ( Ranthambhore division) + 2 ( Kailadevi division) , it is not possible to accurately determine the sex of all of them.
   
9. Also keep in mind that of the 23 male tigers in Ranthambhore division, 10 are yet to establish their own territories while 13 have established their territories.
   
10. Among the 13 male tigers with established territories in Ranthambore division, 5 are old, and their territories can be usurped by any one of the 10 males without any territory.
    
11. Among the 24 tigresses in Ranthambhore division, there are 9 which have not borne cubs as of now.
    
12. Among the 15 adult tigresses, 5-6 are old and will lose their territories to any one of the 9 tigresses yet to have borne cubs. This is necessary and will ensure that the breeding cycles of Ranthambhore’s tigers carries on.

By Dharmendra Khandal and Bhuvnesh Suthar