Huge Dominant Male Tiger on Live Safari

On the crossroad much before the camp, we spotted some suspicious activity among the bison. Alert and quiet they carried an inspecting look towards the direction we had come from. The snort gives the game away in case the bison or gaur as the animal is called in Hindi. The huge male began to snort fervently and we stopped completely. 

Before I could utter Tiger! The predator came into the view. Huge as it was T 67 or Dhamangaon was making his presence in this zone in Kanha. Our guide upon spotting the tiger heading towards the camp knew the movement well and we moved forward a short distance and waited. As the guide had predicted the tiger came down from the elevated ground unto the road some distance before us. 

Then the chase began actually as soon as the tiger landed on the jungle road he became busy marking the nearby trees pacing right in front oblivious of our presence. This continued for at least 15 to 20 minutes and I could film the huge beast in our pursuit literarily speaking. Even though the big cats act oblivious of the safari jeep's presence they are quite alert and keep gauging the distance we were at.  

Anyway, who would dare to come to a halt as the dominant tiger continued to walk on the road marking his territory here and there on the trees and the bush? Eventually, another jeep arrived before the camp and they could see the huge tiger walking behind us but not for long as the best entered a nearby bush not to come out again.  

I was using the camera for the first time and was in movie mode. I could capture the safari live but with a lot of shakes since trepidation had set in a long time before. To this date, I have not edited the video in order to keep the live tiger safari alive in my memory bank.  

We encountered T 67 many times as he was the dominant tiger of the zone in Kanha National Park. Once again we experienced a live tiger safari but in another area. By this time he was stressed out by the presence of another rival Sangam Tiger. Nevertheless, he was as aggressive and confident as ever.  

Tracking tigers is a tough but interesting job and a naturalist should remain confident in case of failure. The big cats of Kanha National park though acclimatized to humans are by all means as wild and as shy as anywhere. We keep silent and always maintain a distance in order to make the animal feel safe.  

The tigers are not maneaters by instinct but can charge when feeling threatened. And you better not experience the charge. Maintain a distance and be safe. 

============================================================
Uday Freelances as Naturalist in Central India. He is an avid birder and tiger enthusiast. He blogs on tigers, wildlife and birds. He also writes on the environment and conservation.

Uday also provides SEO Services and Website Content in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur during Summer Holidays.
--------
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323 

====================================================  

Big Brute Dabang on Full Charge

Courtyard House Kanha

Guests: Suresh Sinhji Patdi Darbar & Friends 

"One of our guests has not seen a tiger ever in his life," said Abhijeet Munshaw a wildlife enthusiast and photographer. This was our first conversation as soon as the check-in formalities had been done.  

"Well hope for the best," I said confidently. "Tigers being elusive is hard to come by."

Our first two safaris were good but no tigers. Then while traversing through Kisli Zone we decided to head straight for Karai Ghati. A day before, a tiger was seen on this road and heard roaring incessantly.     

Searching for tigers is at times frustrating. We went right up to the junction which leads to Sarhi Zone. Nothing. Well, there were pug marks of another male but they usually do not result in sighting often. We waited for the animal to emerge. But after some time we decided to move ahead and look for the tiger seen yesterday. The distance was not much and we could quickly bounce back if needed. There was no tiger there hence we moved on to score other areas. 

There is a female with cubs often seen near the Kisli Tank on the way to Karai Ghati. She deserted the water body whence one of the cubs was killed by a vagrant male. 

"Let's look for the tigress," I told the guide."She may have returned." There were many jeeps waiting with the same objective. We waited for some time, then I said to the guide. "Let's visit the place where the big male was seen yesterday rather than wait here." The guide was thinking the same hence we drove on. It was about a ten-minute ride straight on.        

The tiger was lying in shade covering almost three fourth of the jungle road. "Massive." I stopped as soon as the beast looked at us. There was a deafening silence as the beats thundered. "Keep at a safe distance," I told the driver.

"This is Dabang."    

The last time I had encountered this beast on the kill and he was very aggressive almost threatening to charge. Even the distance of twenty meters seemed uncomfortable. The guests were busy with their cameras while we were having a nervous look at the tiger. 

There was another jeep ahead much ahead. We were wondering if they were aware of the predator. Well, you remain silent on such occasions. 

The tiger kept looking at us, occasionally turning to look at the other jeep. He was not very comfortable but then lay quiet without any show of aggression. Well did he? 

In one instant the beast arose from his slumber and took a step towards us or rather charged. Frightening...is all I can say. We were at a safe distance but it seemed that he would be on the jeep in seconds. He did not, for he veered to right after a massive roar and vanished into the thickets.        

The tiger sighting was over and we turned back to look for the tigress. She was not there hence we moved on. The beautiful Kanha landscape enchants me every time and it did that to the guests as well.  

"Let's visit the male tiger again," the guest requested the guide. Well, that would have meant going in for the tigress as well hence we proceeded.  

"Turn back," the guide of the approaching jeep requested us fervently. "He is charging too often." Then another jeep approached us with the same request.  

"We should not agitate the big cat further," I explained to the guests. "He is not used to the jeeps, hence he gets aggressive and charges."      

The charge is not at all a pleasant experience. In fact, it could be nerve-wracking. 

We turned back. 

Leopards in Trouble

The worst news for nature lovers is the death of the big cats. Critically poised on brink of extinction the big cats are entirely at the mercy of the poachers, greedy and the developers. Habitat destruction and systemic hunting have been the major factors behind the endangerment of this species.   

The leopards survive in wider habitats as compared to the tiger. They are more likely to be found near human habitations even those devoid of forests. The enormous ability to survive should auger a good future but this is not so leopards are being killed at rapid pace in India. They are the greater victim of man animal conflict than the elder cousin.

Leopard Dharmagiri

Recently two leopard were found in the vicinity of Barhi Forests near Bandhavgarh National Park. The dead bodies were found in a spate of few days. This does not augur well since the pattern is suggestive of organized poaching. Though the post mortem reports and viscera analysis drown in the length of the time this repeated tragedy is suggestive of poaching gangs operating in and around the verdant forests of Bandhavgarh National Park.  

I have been visiting the Barhi Forests as a naturalist at Muchmucha Lodge since some time. The wildlife is impressive by all means though the forest face denudation near the villages in this area. 

Leopard Dharmagiri

Most of the tragedies are taking place due to callous attitude of those in charge, while some may be involved in the nexus. There have been cases of electrocution of animals including the tiger in Central Indian Tiger Reserves. These have been happening since a number of years but no substantial solution is in the place. All this points to total disregard  for our wild denizens and their habitats. Conserving wilderness in protected areas is not enough there should be concerted efforts to protect it irrespective of the status of land.