This is the third death of the big cat in the area in a month. (File photo)
A tiger cub was found dead in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra today, a third death of the big cat in the area in a month.
A forest guard came across the carcass which was in a highly decomposed state this afternoon.
A team of forest officials including Field Director (TATR) and the Chief Conservator of Forests GP Garad and other rushed to the spot.
The animal, over 2 years old, might be one of the four cubs of the famous 'Kuwani' tigress of Kolsa area, officials said.
All the body parts were intact, ruling out the possibility of killing for poaching.
Autopsy was conducted on the spot and the body was later cremated after collecting the viscera samples.
"The cause of death could not be ascertained. Most of the body was highly decomposed," said deputy director (TATR Buffer zone) Gajendra Narwane.
On April 8, carcass of a tigress was found floating in Uma river which passes through TATR in Sindewahi tehsil of the district. One of her hind legs was fractured, indicating that she might have been hit by a vehicle.
On April 26, a young tiger died in a territorial fight with another tiger in the same tehsil.