Two tiger cubs were drowned while another was rescued after they fell into a well at the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan.

The four-month-old cubs approached the well in search of water and stepped into the 20-25 feet deep reservoir at Khandar range on Wednesday, R N Mehrotra, the Chief Wildlife Warden and Conservator of Forest, said.

The cubs were immediately spotted by forest guards deputed for ongoing census, but they were only able to save one of them, he said.

The injured cub was administered first aid in temporary captivity till Thursday morning, Mehrotra, who is attending a wildlife meeting in Dehradun, said.

The cub was released and was later seen walking with his mother, Mehrotra said.

The carcasses of two cubs which were sent for visceral examination and have been cremated, he said.

While praising the state forest guards for the rescue, he regretted that the two cubs could not be saved.

Wildlife Institute of India has indicated a rise in tiger population in RNP from 26 to 32 as per its 2006 report released in Dehradun, but the Rajasthan Forest and Wildlife Department has to verify it and a fresh census is underway at the Park in Sawaimadhopur district, he said.