The three cubs were found at MadhavaKatte in Antara Santhe range, HD Kote. Field staff said the tigress was not sighted for eight to ten days. Prior to its disappearance, the mother was found in pain, pierced by porcupine quills.

One of the cubs died, though the reason is not clear yet, conservator of forests an d director of Nagarahole tiger reserve S Manikandan said. The field staff had noticed the cubs on July 24 and 27, and six camera traps were set up in the vicinity to track their movements. A combing operation was also launched to search for the tigress, he told TOI. "We are not sure if the tigress abandoned the cubs or is injured and hence, it disappeared," he said. The official said the cubs are believed to be eight months old. A vet said a tigress takes care of her cubs for two years and trains them to hunt. Generally, she feeds them till they are yearlings, though the cubs start eating meat when they are three months old.

While the foresters are waiting for the tigress to return , experts are suggesting the forest department shift them to Mysuru Zoo to be hand-reared. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has to take a call on shifting the cubs.