For nearly three decades, there have been no documented cases of successful tiger reproduction in the Kailadevi wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan. Although tigers traversed the forests of this region, the possibility of their breeding here again was a question.
The situation has changed. In the last five years, eight cubs and three adult tigers have been recorded in Kailadevi, offering hope for the formation of a population outside the Ranthambore territory.
The discovery was detailed in a new study conducted by WWF-India in collaboration with the Rajasthan Forest Department. The research findings were presented in Jaipur on October 16, 2026.
Significance of the Birth of Eight Cubs
The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, covers an area of about 674 square kilometers, including forests, rocky hills, and deep ravines. It was established in 1983 and represents the northern extension of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
For tigers leaving Ranthambore, these forests serve as a pathway to other wildlife habitats, such as the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve and the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. However, the forest through which a tiger can move differs from the forest where it can raise offspring.
Mothers need protected places to shelter young, a sufficient amount of wild animals for hunting, and a suitable habitat for the cubs to grow. This is what makes the recent breeding records encouraging, as they indicate that parts of Kailadevi provide conditions for tiger reproduction.
K. K. A. Arun Prasad, Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan, stated that 'the Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary is becoming a vital landscape for tiger conservation, demonstrating successful reproduction after three decades.' He believes that protecting the forests and the corridors connecting them can contribute to the creation of a second tiger population near Ranthambore.
What Was Discovered by 186 Hidden Cameras
To understand the fauna inhabiting Kailadevi, researchers from WWF-India and the Rajasthan Forest Department conducted a detailed assessment from November 2023 to February 2024. They collected valuable data from 186 camera trap stations placed throughout the sanctuary. These cameras automatically photographed passing animals, helping scientists study fauna that is difficult to observe directly.
The cameras recorded 27 species of mammals, showing the diversity of animals sharing these forests. Leopards were among them. Researchers identified 29 leopard individuals and estimated their density at approximately 3.65 individuals per 100 sq. km. Among large predators, striped hyenas were photographed most frequently, followed by wolves and leopards. Jackals, Indian foxes, jungle cats, and caracals were also recorded.
The team also studied herbivores that serve as prey for tigers. Their numbers are important because reproduction is only the beginning. As the cubs grow up, they will require enough food and space for self-sufficiency.
Why Do These Tigers Need Forests Outside Ranthambore
As young tigers grow up, they may leave their birthplaces in search of their own territory. For this journey, they need connected forest areas where they can travel, find mates, and establish new territories. Here, Kailadevi gains special significance, as its location helps link Ranthambore with neighboring wildlife habitats. However, expanding roads, growing settlements, and damage to forest areas can disrupt these routes, hindering animal movement.
Therefore, protecting these connections is crucial if Kailadevi is to sustain tigers for generations. This work also involves the people living around these forests.
How Nearby Villages Help Protect the Landscape
Initiatives by WWF-India and the Rajasthan Forest Department have benefited almost 8,000 residents in 46 villages on the outskirts of the forests around Ranthambore and Kailadevi. These initiatives include supporting livelihoods, clean energy options, and programs involving people in environmental protection. The goal is to meet local needs while reducing the pressure on the habitat that wildlife depends on. This work is vital in areas where people depend on the same forests as tigers and other wildlife for survival.
Can Kailadevi Give These Cubs a Future?
The return of tiger reproduction is encouraging, but the recovery of Kailadevi will depend on further actions. Conservationists must continue monitoring tigers, protecting forest corridors, and ensuring a sufficient supply of wild prey. The eight cubs recorded over five years do not yet form a safe, self-sufficient tiger population. Nevertheless, they demonstrate why preserving this sanctuary is important.
After nearly three decades without documented successful reproduction, tigers are once again breeding in Kailadevi. With continuous protection of its forests and support from local communities, the sanctuary can become home to future generations of tigers.
