A Date With The Tiger - Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Authored by govil and jain

Across the globe, there are few animals that generate so much respect, awe, admiration and fear, like the Tiger. Many consider it as a majestic animal. And they are absolutely right. The presence it commands – whether among the wildlife or human beings – is awesome. You have got to see it. The fearless walk, the aura around it, the hushed silence all around when the Tiger is on a prowl, are all indicators of its tall stature in wildlife world and respect in the human eye. No wonder the Tiger is also called the king of the jungle. The author of this article was lucky to have had a first-hand experience of seeing this majestic animal at a handshaking distance at Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve, India. Even today, when one thinks about it, the entire scene comes alive and you get goosebumps all over again. Let’s see how the entire experience unfolded during our visit to this great Tiger reserve.

Having been to many a Tiger reserves across India – Sariska (Near Alwar in State of Rajasthan), Corbet (Near New Delhi), Panna (Near Khajuraho in State of Madhya Pradesh), Bandhavgarh (Near Satna in State of Madhya Pradesh), Dudhwa – (Near Lakhimpur in State of Uttar Pradesh), Bandipur (Near Mysore in State of Karnataka) – One did not lay down many expectations from the Ranthambore visit. If you are lucky with a Tiger sighting, well and good. Else, enjoy the Jungle experience and have no regrets. It very nearly turned out to be that and no more at Ranthambore.

We enjoyed our Jungle experience and the stay for a couple of days. But had not been lucky with a Tiger sighting. Being used to such disappointment, we were enjoying our evening, it being the last night of our stay at Ranthambore. Exchanging notes, appreciating each others photography, listening to some of the tour guides who had enchanting tales of Tiger sightings and so on. Amidst all this noisy conversation, banter and revelry, there was a sense of disquiet. There was this faint inner voice that kept struggling to be heard. Call it intuition, call it a hunch, call it a sixth sense, call it a passion for wildlife or pure greed to see a Tiger.

The idea came center stage from almost nowhere – why not delay our departure tomorrow morning by a couple of hours to allow us a morning safari into the Ranthambore jungle? One last time was the call of the heart. Can it be pulled off? What with all the booking constraints and rush of visitors? It was peak season. And, before we realized, we were actually discussing the possibility with the Organizing desk. The feasibility of taking an early morning ride into the jungle. A couple of phone calls, and a bit of persuasion, and, the lady luck smiled our way. We managed a seat on the Canter for The Route 3 of the Tiger Safari at Ranthambore National Park. We had to be up and ready for pick up at 6 am. The lively evening came to an abrupt end as we quickly finished our dinner and retired to our rooms to finish packing. There would be little time after the safari the next day. We had to check out by 11.30 am and more importantly, be on road by 12 noon for our evening flight from Jaipur. The drive to the airport was almost 4 hrs.

Next day we were up and ready in time for a pickup. As we went into the jungle, unlike the last two or three safaris here, this time there was a sense of anticipation.

By now we were all too familiar with the drill in this national park. As our Canter entered the jungle and started to make way inside, we were only half listening to all that was being said by our tour guide about this National Park, or its wildlife or even about the Tiger. Instead, our eyes were wandering all over. Some of the co-passengers had high-grade binoculars and were searching the jungle through its piercing vision. Moving 180 degrees in slow motion repeatedly. We saw a lot of wildlife – spotted Deer, Sambar, Langur, Nilgai. But the eyes were eagerly looking for that one elusive animal, The Majestic Tiger. And elusive it was proving to be. We were on the brink of another safari gone, having returned to a rest point very close to the exit. For all of us, the safari was more or less over. Disappointment showed on the face of everyone. Our tour guide was having a conversation with the forest guards. And then, all of a sudden, he jumped and returned to the vehicle. There was an urgency in his action. The crisp command for everyone to get into the vehicle fast was not to be missed and was complied with.

Our Canter took a quick U-turn and started moving back into the jungle with as much speed as the jungle rules and the terrain would permit. In less than 10 minutes we were next to a lake and waited with anticipation. Eyes searching all over the place expectantly. But no Tiger. Our hearts were racing. Everyone nurtured a deep sense of hope more so because of the way we returned to the jungle and the spot by the lakeside in a hurry. Seconds were ticking by and anxiety was at its peak. And then the words everyone was waiting for. Our Tour guide announced – Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn and look towards the hill. And there we saw the family of three Tigers majestically walking down the woods towards the Lake. T 19 (Krishna) as the mother Tigress is identified in the records of Ranthambore National Park was on the prowl along with her two grown-up offsprings. The pleasure and ecstasy of everyone knew no bounds. So far we all were desperate to get a glimpse of a Tiger. And here we were seeing a rare spectacle of three of them walking down the woods. There was a flutter in the vehicle as everyone took out their photography equipment and jostled for a vantage position to capture the moments. How the next half an hour or more went by, no one quite remembers. It is the pictures which reconstruct that memory. Have a look at how enchanting and thrilling the experience of that 40 minutes or so turned out to be. The mercy of God takes time but is rich and bountiful.

A Majestic Walk Down The Woods

Water bodies – A frequent hunting ground for Tigers

We align ourselves to a ringside view. You can see other vehicles also. In the picture below see the Tiger at a distance. An arrow mark points you to the Tiger. Don’t miss the natural camouflage.

And no mistaking the concentration and focus. The Tigress was oblivious to what was happening around her. She was alert and focused.

We all waited with bated breath for some action that was not to be. With three Tigers on the prowl, the other wildlife quickly disappeared. But for all of us, that was no big deal. Tiger Sighting was more than enough. And a view at very close quarters (almost handshaking distance from our Canter). What a view it was. Everyone carried back lifetime memories of this great adventure. Overawed by the Majestic Tiger.

If you feel the pictures are not enough, and you have an appetite for more, here are some videos for the adventure. We derive absolute pleasure in serving you a hearty meal of real wildlife experience. Savor it!

For those of you who would like to know more about Krishna (T 19) – the Tiger in focus in the pictures above - here are links to the life story of hers:

https://www.ranthambhoreguides.com/tigers/krishna
https://www.ranthamborenationalpark.com/t-19.html

Epilogue

Friends, before we sign off, here some facts, that are of concern. Tiger is an endangered species, an extirpate animal, across the globe. In about a century the population of Tigers globally dwindled from a level of 100,000 plus to just about a little under 4,000 as per 2016 census. Of the 9 subspecies of the Tiger, some 3 or 4 have already become extinct in the world. India has the largest Tiger population – 50% plus of the total Tiger population across the globe.

There are many reasons the Tiger population has come under threat. The most common one being Man – Nature Conflict. The expanding human habitations encroach upon the land of Tiger habitation. This often leads to the killing of Tigers illegally. Another reason, perhaps equally important, is in the realm of ‘Wildlife Crime'. The demand for products based on Tiger – Tigerskin, bones, canines, paws and also the internal organs, remains high. The commercial greed comes from the stream of ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine' and the ‘Fashion Market'. There is a flourishing trade for the same despite a ban on it across the globe. The good news, of course, is that the Tiger population has been increasing in last few years due to untiring efforts of the governments across the world egged on by various groups and international Bodies working towards save Tiger initiatives.

We wanted to put these facts across our esteemed readers in order to make us all aware of the enormous challenge for existence that is faced by this species. Being aware is like winning half the battle towards ‘Save Tiger From Extinction’. And it supports the other half of the battle that is being fought by governments across the globe and the international bodies.

Finally, if you have liked what you have read and seen, we could do with a dose of encouragement. So ‘upvote’, ‘like’ or ‘resteemit’. And yes, feel free to critique also. It is the learning that counts.

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