The tigress had three cubs, two are dead, one has been spotted alive.
A tigress and her two cubs have apparently been poisoned in the Pench Tiger Reserve near Seoni, Madhya Pradesh. Their bodies have been found in the core area of the forest.
The tigress -- locally known as the "Baghin nala tigress" -- was 12 years old, her body was found yesterday.
The bodies of her two cubs -- born 8 months ago - were recovered today. Search is on for a third cub, which had been seen alive.
"The area in which the cub was sighted has been marked and efforts are on to ensure its safety," said Subhranjan Sen, field director of the reserve. He said he did not know if the tigress had a fourth cub. None has been spotted so far.
Forest officials suspect the poachers were behind the poisoning -- which can be confirmed only after viscera tests. Samples have been sent but the results may take a month, Mr Sen said.
But Mr Sen did not rule out poisoning due to contaminated food or water. Expressing shock, he said such an incident has happened after a long time.
The locals are holding a silent demonstration in Pench to protest against the deaths today. They have also started a signature campaign.
The drivers of the jeeps, who take tourists inside for safari, are also saying they will go on a strike from tomorrow if investigations into the reasons surrounding the tigress's death are not taken up seriously.
Some locals have also alleged that the forest department has been lax on ensuring that the tigers are protected in the core area. They say this is not the first instance where a wild animal has been found dead near a water source this month.