Alwar, Oct. 24 -- Two cubs born to tigress ST-26 have taken the tiger population in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve to a record 58, the highest count recorded in the reserve, according to forest officials. The milestone marks a significant recovery for the reserve, which lost all its tigers to poaching in 2005. The cubs, captured on camera traps, are ST-26's first litter. Their addition has raised Sariska's tiger count from 56 to 58, comprising 11 males, 17 females and 30 offspring currently classified as cubs, officials said. Sariska recorded 31 cub births between 2024 and 2026, of which 30 are still accounted for in the reserve. One cub of tigress ST-17 went missing and has been excluded from the current count. The year-wise figures show 13 births in 2024, nine in 2025 and nine so far in 2026. The growing population has also presented a monitoring challenge, with several young tigers approaching independence and beginning to explore new territories. Around 13 animals currently classified as cubs are nearing or have crossed two years of age. These include four offspring each of ST-12 and ST-22, two of ST-27 and three of ST-17. The reserve administration is preparing to assign them individual identification numbers to track their movements and maintain records. Forest officials are monitoring the young tigers as they begin separating from their mothers. Their dispersal could expand tiger presence within the reserve but will also require closer surveillance of territorial encounters. Sangram Singh Katiyar, chief conservator of forests at Sariska Tiger Reserve, attributed the population growth to the presence of young breeding animals, improved monitoring and sustained vigilance by forest personnel. He said regular monitoring had helped curb poaching and provide a safer habitat for tigers. The presence of sufficient numbers of young males and females had also supported breeding, he added. The recovery follows one of India's most serious wildlife conservation setbacks. Poaching wiped out Sariska's tiger population, and the reserve was declared devoid of tigers in 2005. Tigers were subsequently relocated from Ranthambore under a reintroduction programme, followed by sustained protection and monitoring efforts. More than half of Sariska's current tiger population was born in the past three years. As these young animals mature, protecting their habitat and monitoring their search for territory will remain central to sustaining the reserve's recovery....