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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Tigress with small cubs at Kanha National Park

At times nature amazes us, we still need to learn a lot about nature and wildlife. In a rare and spectacular sighting in April 2018 we were amazed to spot a tigress with small cubs.

Yes spotting tigress with cubs is not rare but what made this one of the rarest sighting is that here cubs are very small, may be around 5 - 6 weeks old. Normally we get to spot tigress with cubs when the young once are 3 - 6 months old.

It was almost 9 AM and we were not sure of what to do since safari excursion time was coming to an end as we have to reach exit by 11 AM. From the point where we were waiting to hear any sign of predator movement it would have taken us an hour to exit well within the permissible time limit. Another safari vehicle crossed us and told that one tigress had crossed the road with small cubs from a place near Minkur nallah area.

We discussed and decided to try to spot her although chances were not very good. Choti Maada or T31 has very small cubs. We were not expecting her to bring the cubs out again since tigers and very protective of young once. But, with the jungle very silent and no other option as well as time restraint we decided to give it a chance.

When we reached there were a few other vehicles also waiting and trying to understand where the tigress is. It was all of sudden and things unfolded in a manner we never expected. As we approached the area and were just parking our vehicle that suddenly the tigress was seen coming towards one other vehicle. She was coming out of very dense foliage and we could spot her only when she was almost on us.

This vehicle was in line of her movement so the only option was to ask them to move but there was no space. Our driver had presence of mind, he removed his vehicle from the road and asked the other driver to back his vehicle. He immediately took our place and we gave enough space to the tigress. And, within next few seconds she was out on road, alone though. She came out and just sat on road.

With tiger so near and knowing that she is a mother of small cubs we had to restrain ourselves from moving the vehicle least it disturbs her. And, that was a very good decision, within a few seconds one cub came out. He went on to his mother who was sitting on road. All the tourists were asked to sit down and watch as cubs were near by and any movement could have been taken as a threat making the things ugly.

Rest, what happened can be seen in the video attached herewith for all to see one of the rarest sighting at Kanha National Park. We thank Mr Indranil Bhattacharya ji who was staying with us at Kanha Village Eco Resort for giving us this video to share.



That's Kanha where we respect our wildlife and nature.