Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Tiger Family on Wildlife Safari

Guests: Tirjmen & Miranda - Netherland 



Munna Tiger the beloved was our target for that eventful evening. I was bit apprehensive about his appearance as in this season water is well spread and so is the prey. Munna supervises and marks his whole territory in order to remain as the dominant male. Winters is also abuzz with mating big cats hence busy time for them. 

Nevertheless we took a chance. Me and my Dutch guests.  

"Digdola" I said as the driver turned into the act. Air was high with expectancy and we were fully alert. This hillside is part of Kisli Zone at Kanha National Park and home to very many tigers big and small. The picturesque range is preferred zone of those on tiger safari. The approach road is from Khatia Gate, it eventually connects with the road to Kanha Zone. The wildlife park has three main entrances other two are Sarhi and Mukki.

The unique feature of this terrain is presence of many water bodies, dense Sal, mixed forests, bamboo and grasslands. Most of the water bodies are on the right of the approach road while one large body is situated at the end of Digdola Hill with extensive meadows.

Kanha contains many table top mountains with plateaus having unique vegetation. The meandering rivulets are striking especially Sulkum at Sarhi Zone.  Termed as nalas in Hindi these are spots where tigers get localized during summers since water becomes a precious commodity in the scorching heat. 

As we proceeded towards the Sambar Nala we came across some jeeps waiting in expectation. Fortified by alarm cries we could make out the presence of a predator. 

"Tiger," the guide in jeep ahead of us whispered. We looked towards right only to see the dense bush. We moved back some distance and tried to have a better look. Meanwhile the jeeps heading for Kanha Zone also began arriving.    

"I can see the tiger" Miranda whispered and so could Tirjmen. Relieved, I told the driver to move forward some distance away from other jeeps. "We will wait," I said.    

There was a momentary cluster of jeeps but they soon departed after having a look at the big cat. Those with Kanha permit had to go and many in our zone did not wait, much satisfied after having seen the tiger in the bush. We could see the tiger from one point while others did from other."Two tigers," whispered the driver.   

The logjam soon cleared and only one jeep with a bunch of young photo enthusiasts waited along with us. 'We will wait right here at a good distance from the tiger," I said loud enough for the occupants in the other jeep to hear so they would follow suit. I put my hand on the driver's shoulder...stay put. My intention was not to hoard around the animal and push it out of sight. 

We waited with baited breathe in the deafening silence. Then there was a scuffle and growls. Mating? I was bubbling with excitement at the very thought.  The animals could go either way...slip down the hill or cross the jungle road. The guide informed us that there was water down the hill. "Good," I whispered if they have satiated their thirst they will either hang around or cross the road. 

We waited. 

Then. 

"Look there!" the lady pointed towards the bush. A large head emerged and in walked a male in order to cross the road. "Kankata," I hissed. This is a big male who commands territory next to that of Munna and sometimes dares to overlap.  "King of The Jungle" master of all he surveys...If this cliche let it be.     

I have learned one amazing fact that males rarely intercede into each other's domain. They get the message from scent marking on trees and other vegetation. On instance whence one male decides to take over anther's territory the scuffle begins with loud thundering roars and eye contact...glaring. If that does not settle the issue then a frenzied bout follows with minor injuries.  

If that is not enough the scuffle turns into a real fight. In case the domination is established the loser runs away else there takes place grievous injuries often resulting in death. This happens less since the domination is quiet often settled in less violent manner. This is nature's way of mitigating specie loss while deciding upon the strongest gene.    

Kankata with a dent in the ear emerged from the bush and stood on the road. The dominant males though aware of humans are rarely affected whilst on their task. The male then crossed over the road and began to drop foul smelling scat on the edge. Totally oblivious of us he cleared the neighborhood of the scat and entered the forest to lie down. 

We stayed at a safe distance...more was expected. 

"What next!,"I hissed. Ha!Ha!   

The next was emergence of an aggressive female grimacing fearfully at us, and quickly crossing over to enter the forest behind the male. The aggression among this species is often due to fear and uncertainty and whence in the company of female with cubs. Else they are extremely distrustful and frightened of humans...well who isn't?     

"So that's it," I said."The story ends here. I am sure you clicked some amazing shots." I said to my guests brimming with happiness. Earlier trips to Corbett and Ranthambhore were devoid of tiger sightings for them.

"There is another," the guide exclaimed. Well there was more in the store for us on that amazing evening. 

When in the dense jungle, swarming with predators around you, the nerves are taut with excitement and  the heart beats with fear...you can make out on the countenance of those not well versed with jungle life. 

I was expecting a courting ritual but this put that to rest. Are there two males seeking the female? Well all sorts of bizarre strike your brain as consternation develops.     

We peered into the bush at the far end and sure we could make out movement. 

Whence the tigers move there is no sound thanks to the thick padding on the feet...not even a crackle of dried leaves. The animal moves on the digits. Impression of upper pad/sole and digits is visible on ground and we describe them as pug marks. The fifth toe is way up...this is evolution and adaptation in a given habitat where speed and stealth is the order of the day. But sometimes you  can see turbulence in the grass and the vegetation, and thin sound emerges whence the body brushes against the twigs and leaves.    

For tracking tigers in the wild, a highly sensitive and trained sensory apparatus is required apart from experience. The animal belies simplicity in all terms and far out wits humans and its prey. Regularity in movement to some degree is seen near water holes in summers.     

Well patience pays and out came a young cub obviously a male. Family!. In the far out wilderness surprise belies belief. This is what was happening to us. Utter disbelief on my countenance I could see in the rear view mirror. 

The cub walked out nervously but steadily since we were at a good distance. Beauty is grace all entwined in natures magic. Pure Magic. The cub carried an expression of innocence much like our children do. It was perhaps seeing a new creature in a bewildering contraption that was not part of the ecosystem and his food chain. Fear engulfs logic and rather then waste time pondering over us he slithered into the dense canopy besides his parents.          

And Then. 

"Withhold your breathe," I said to the crowd... well on two jeeps. "There is another."

A young tiger of dimension little less the cub we saw emerged from the bush. Upon seeing the disproportionate size I could quickly infer that this one was a female. The cubs were about six to seven months old judging from the size. Fear and consternation was visible on her face.      

The young cub walked out but was still bit distant from the road. But it could not gather courage and went back into hiding. "This is a female and hence very cautious as per their basic nature. The cub though at good distance from us decided to go further ahead to cross over.     

There was a chatter of excitement as more jeeps arrived. They could see the female in the halo created by intertwining twigs and leaves. We could see both the tigress and male who was lazing upturned on the bed of grass. The tigress though on full alert was nevertheless at ease assured that her cubs were safe and at a distance from us.     

Stop Press. 

An Encounter With Tiger Family

The fearful tribe of killers, murderers in cold blood and perpetual enemies of humans (sic). The headlines said in the news papers.  Well nearly.

Such associations of majestic beast are encountered on notably very few occasions. This was a moment of discovery of natural history at work.  

You feel great and bloated over an encounter like this and even while describing. Why Not? 


Male Tiger

Tigress
Photo Credit Tirjmen & Miranda - Netherland 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Tiger Safari: Rumble in The Jungle

Guests Mary & Andrew UK

Enthusiasm is the key to enjoying nature in the confines of dense forests. 

"We have come to enjoy all and make our holiday a big success," Mary said. "It's just not tiger, we wish to go back with happy memories," she continued.       

The evening was fun as we sat near the fireplace enjoying our sundowners, and the starry night at Courtyard House Kanha in Central India.   

As it was to be, we came across many birds, bison, and deer, and the guest enjoyed the landscape too. They were clicking nature's bounty with amazing finesse. Being amateur photographers they were well-versed in photography.

Hot and Spicy Food went down well with them ."A bit too much but we will bear it". "Ha! Ha". I was amused,  they were being sporty. Nevertheless wonderful evenings, amazing soups, and titbits with beer and my rum.    

One day too we did come across the tiger in the dense canopy of the Kanha Zone. "Sleeping like a drugged fellow", I whispered. "Well, a tiger lies there."    

Then what followed in the following evening was amazing.   

"A leopard went in the bush just now," excited tourists on the jeep informed us. "Wow"! We missed it or did we?
Ruddy Mongoose

Indian Roller
We drove a few yards ahead and waited. "It seems to have proceeded further into the jungle," the guide said with dismay. "No wait, "I said. The big cat may be lurking in the bush, I thought. And it was. : Like a peeping Tom it came out cautiously and looked straight at us. 

Sleeping Tiger
The mellow flare of the setting sun made it appear golden red as it came out in the open looking curiously at us. It was cautious and as we neared it went back into the bush. Well, it came out again and our guests could take more photos.  A great spectacle indeed.   

Jackal
Next Evening. 

Munna Tiger
Munna Looking at Us
Munna Male Tige r
Then came the big bounty. While returning from Sarhi Zone, Santosh our driver spotted tracks of a big male. "Turn around," I said.  
Nice Place to Spray

Munna as usual was ambling around at a leisurely pace with a bunch of jeeps in tow. That was it, a safari made holistic and exciting.


Scaly Bellied Munia 






Peeping Leopard
We came across many delights as you can see from the images Thanks to Mary & Andrew.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Tiger Safari Part II - 2015

Central India

On first of October the park safari reopened after the monsoon period. This year the safari opened fifteen days earlier. The reschedule took place upon insistence of the hoteliers. Some changes in the entry permits were to be brought in but that has not happened so far. One of the proposal is for booking gate entry on three times the charge for those unable to secure it.   

The year 2015 has brought about a shift in the way we conduct the safaris. The buffer zone tourism has been a major addition allowing tourists some extra space. At Bandhavgarh off season safaris have brought in extra visitors for the benefit of the hoteliers as well as the jeep owners and the staff.   

Night safaris at Pench and Satpura have opened doors for the visitors to experience yet another aspect of the forests. The excursions in the night would offer sightings of lesser seen nocturnal animals like the pangolin, civets, porcupine, wolf, leopards etc. Kanha National Park does not offer the night safaris yet but plans are afoot.  

The government plans to create large enclosures to keep stray and offensive tigers and leopards within. Hence these enclosures would also act as safari and possibly offer easy sightings of the big cats. The tigers and leopards with propensity to attack humans will be caged in here.   

After the closure of tiger show this will be good for tourism as the possibility of sighting big cats would be facilitated easily. The enclosure would also assist in rehabilitating some of them after a period of watch. 

These changes suggest that the mindset has changed and controlled tourism is looked at favorable. As it should be!




Male Tiger: Photo Credits Anshuman Singh
 

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Wildlife Conservation - Why Tourism?

 "Let there be peace in the heavens, the Earth, the atmosphere, the water, the herbs, the vegetation, among the divine beings and in Brahman, the absolute reality. Let everything be at peace and in peace. Only then will we find peace."   - Atharvana Veda

 To many, this form of tourism seems more of a tamasha than an appreciable recreation. No doubt people come here for a holiday and fun. And the prospect of seeing the tiger excites one and all. Even seasoned naturalists like us revel in each and every sighting of wild animals, the tiger being the most cherished.  

Well, the crux of dismay among some, especially a few nongovernment organizations is the sense of exclusion that protected areas create and it is further compounded by a lack of understanding of this delicate web of nature. Some see human rights everywhere. This attitude is also prevalent among a few indolent staff of the conservation units as well who often have to bear managing the burden of tourism as it appears to them. The truth is that all forms of life have inherited the earth equally and they too need inviolate space. Hence almost eighty percent of the protected areas are not open for tourism.  

Just to ban this activity, massive movement of State machinery took place, not to minus the cost and efforts put up by the industry to preserve their precious investment and businesses. The effort to ban tourism may appear futile to people like us who are in favor, but then this whole exercise did result in redefining the activity. This was good for all, the conservation effort, staff, local employees, and of course the industry. Thousands of jobs and income sources were saved by the Honorable Court's decision.   

With the increase in the cost of safaris in the park, the concept appears to be more elitist in nature. But this line of thinking has descended from the shikar days since hunting was the prerogative of the upper class, the royals, and later whosoever powerful with mighty weapons of destruction.

With the legislation in force...fresh from the hunting era the privileged became tourists and photographers. But the prerogative was limited in scope in Independent India. As the industry expanded, the common man entered the arena, without guns but with a camera and a humble profile. The revelation dawned upon the public that they too could enjoy this sport albeit in a non-destructive manner.  

Bengal Tiger - Kanha National Park
This is what brought about a paradigm shift in the way wild animals were perceived. From vermin, they overnight turned into precious jewels of nature. Nature films and photographers also added to the positive change in attitude among the people at the helm and the common man. This changed attitude of the masses accorded further impetus to the nascent conservation efforts of that era. Augmented scientific research furthered preservation.    

Sloth Bear
We should not forget to pay tribute to our PM at that time Smt. Indira Gandhi. Her commitment to preserving dwindling strands of our heritage brought about rich dividends. So it was said, and truly, that tiger conservation was the saving grace of the wilderness as a whole. Habitats were preserved, ecosystems improved, and endangered species on brink of extinction gained ground. Swamp Deer at Kanha National Park is a fine example.



Hard Ground Swamp Deer

Not only did the industry gain from tourism, but the local communities also gained much more. The empowerment through training, skill development, and of course employment augured a better standard of living and access to education.   
Common Kingfisher

The hordes of tourists wiser by experience and hence knowledgeable become sentinels of nature. This brought about a change, initially by pressure but later by a sense of duty towards our environment among the wildlife managers. The recreation had a profound effect on the political setup and industrialists as well - nearly. 

Controlled tourism also garners a lot of funds, crucial for the maintenance and conservation of our precious resources and heritage wealth. By all means, a healthy activity has created equity for all that is wild in India.      

Images by Dinesh Makhija of Motel Chandan at Kanha.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Development: Is this not an issue?

I happened to pick up a book by Samar Singh a conservationist of repute titled "Conserving India's Natural Heritage". In his book he sketches the depredation of our natural lands and the conservation action that is taking place after realization. He rightly eulogizes our erstwhile PM Smt. Indira Gandhi for her committed approach to nature conservation. Because of her courage to plan, implement, intervene, prevent and impose such that many life forms and natural lands received a breather perhaps for eternity.          

In order to up the development scale we are reckless in our approach - the destruction of natural lands goes on. Be it greedy development, one sided human rights activities, sheer disregard for habitats...whatever. The Earth belongs to all life forms...how much space is being accorded to them...are we the judge?  
Indian Rhino


Langur

Tigress with cubs

Common Kingfisher

Vine Snake


Photo Credits: Dharmagiri - Jungle Home Pench.


The foreward by Shri M.S. Swaminathan acts as an eye opener. He writes that "Conservation is development and the basic support systems have to be seen as integrated whole". 

How many do?

Reckless development or exploitation of crucial natural resources resulting in depredation is nothing but  harakiri a genocide virtually. The brunt of dilapidated ecosystems and the cost incurred there in will be paid by the coming generations.  We have to learn to preserve our natural lands and also recover or return them back to a preserved state by action and policies and not by speech.  

Sustainable development means harnessing our resource for renewed availability and not one time go. The economic upliftment and empowerment of masses should not be at the cost of crucial life support systems. Already overburdened Earth with one species growing unchecked is devastating ecosystems all over. 

But all this rationality seems irrational to those committed to unchecked development resulting in depletion of crucial resources and gene pools which will be lost for eternity. 

.Give space to other life forms please           

Friday, August 14, 2015

Searching For Tigers!!

Tigers are conspicuous by their presence and illusive by their movement. As naturalist guide I am entrusted to search for tigers for my guests by Courtyard House at Kanha. This job we have to do as to make the day for the visitors..     

This is one of the most difficult jobs and at times thankless, but thrilling as well. Nevertheless I do come out with startling finds frequently in the deep recess of the woods of our reserves. I am no tiger expert like the field biologists who spend considerable time studying the big cats. But nevertheless our creed deserves kudos for understanding strands of tiger behavior - psssssssssst - as much as guides can do. 

Tigers thrive in dense forests which are usually encompassed in the reserve called core zones. The outer layer called the buffer zone is supposed to accord some sort of protection from the marauding humanity.  At places where the buffer is reasonably intact and is populated by fewer villages tourism has been introduced.

At Pench  National Park the buffer zone is subject to night safaris while at Bandhavgarh this zone offers safaris during the monsoon. These are positive developments since activities in outer layer means better future for neglected areas suffering from undue biotic pressure and man animal conflict. This tourism also takes off the load from the core zone. This also means more employment for the guides and drivers who are usually locals.   

As per NTCA guidelines tourism is restricted to twenty percent of the area of the reserves. This area is further divided into zones in order to manage vehicular movement. Hence we move in area limited by the tourism zone we are allotted.    

As you get experienced you sharpen your tracking skills, learn from others and get assistance from the network of drivers and guides on other jeeps. Searching for tigers tests your sensory apparatus as well as your logic and understanding of the behavior pattern, and movement of the hunter and hunted. It is imperative to understand the movement of individual animal in the area of expedition and their preferred timings as per the weather. At the same time one has to take into account the vehicular movements including park staff and the foresters on foot.
Red Eye Male Tiger - Paul Fear at Kanha

Pench Tiger - Dharmagiri

Tigress With Cub - Dharmagiri Pench

Tigress + Cub - Dhramagiri

Tigers are highly individualistic in their nature. At times I have been surprised by big cats exhibiting almost human like grasp of their ecosystem. While dominant males and experienced females are uninhibited the rest are extremely shy - especially the young ones and cubs. In fact most of the tigers are frightened to bone in presence of humans.        

Alarm cries, pug marks, spoor, smells, sounds and tree markings are tell tale signs of the presence of the animal. The movement of this animals is irregular except during the summers whence water shortage arises. But most of these carnivores are restricted to a given area for a long time, especially the dominant males whilst breeding mothers keep on changing places locally.    

People come from far and wide to see the tiger. Whether they are regular tourists, naturalists, wildlife photographers, conservationists or plain fun loving holiday makers, the big cat is always on the menu and on every visit I must add. 

Most of the reserves in India receive few birders or tree watchers albeit these are excellent for both.      

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Tigeress in the Ethereal Morning

I asked the guide to move through Salghat a low lying mountain with lot of Sal trees hence the name. It was a beautiful morning at Kanha National Park and as usual I was with my foreign guests from Courtyard House. A cool wind blew past us as me moved along the incline.

"Salghat?" 

"Yes', I said.

Driving very slowly we had  reached the cross road, I asked the driver to move towards Badrinath and head straight towards Sarvan Taal at Kanha Zone. We crossed over the striking grasslands of Kanha meadows and then reached a water body called Phuta Taal.  We continued.  

The transformation was electric, before we could see the tigress the drama unfolded. We found monkeys scurrying up the trees and then the hollow alarm cry of the spotted deer began. We knew there was a big cat on the way and rightly so. It emerged from the shadow of the trees neighboring the lake and headed straight towards us.   

The spectacular display of the swamp deer and its raucous cries was a rare event to witness as the tigress cut across the road past us. She continued to walk graceful emerging from thickets accompanied by dulcet roars. She came out in the open and then went into hiding behind the bushes. 

The event unfolded as she continued to move back past Phuta Taal at a graceful place totally ignorant of us and the frantic life all around her. The jeeps started arriving as we signaled them but there was no hurry, the big cat was aiming for a long walk and that it did. 

All the jeeps had rushed towards the Silyari Lake since Munna the male tiger was sighted a day before in the evening. I knew that there would be an undisturbed ground for the tigress to amble free...and so it happened. My guests from UK clicked merrily amazed at the turn of events.  Completely Zapped.
Tigress - Dinesh Makhija

Swamp Deer - Dinesh Makhija
         

Monday, May 18, 2015

Munna - Epitome of Tigerhood

Tiger Safari

"Nothing here," the forest guide said as we passed through the Silyari Lake and adjoining grasslands. "Well than lets go over to Nain Singh Nala," I said. "Nothing here as well no sign of the tiger," the guide said. The driver and the guide then set out to draw an elaborate route that would fetch a tiger. 

Our guest at Courtyard House was a wildlife photographer Micheal from UK and he wanted a real good shoot of the big cat. 

"We are going back," I said in a stern voice to make sure that my wish is accepted. The driver and the guide looked absolutely bewildered....crazy nut they must be thinking."But there is no sign of the tiger at all," the guide said. I remained quite. 

In the pin drop silence that prevailed I sat silently pondering over the possible movement of the tiger. "It is hot for the big cat to move," I told the guide who nodded in affirmative. "We will wait here for an hour and them move on to exit through as it becomes cooler." The guide was a nice man and he let me muse by the lake patiently. The driver sat smug and uneasy. He had to obey. He!He!

Micheal sat cool with full faith in me.       

All the jeeps had gone through ahead, a couple of them passed us. "What are you doing here? Any sign." No! "Then why are you waiting here?"

"For the tiger." I said." The vehicles sped through. My game plan was simple, the tiger Munna favors this lake and so I was going to score a critical tiger habitat at the right time. Hence we waited for the right time whence it was lot more cooler.

"Tiger," I said much to the astonishment of Micheal and others.In a frenzy we turned towards Nain Singh Nala.  The big cat has just descended from the hill and was coolly walking past another jeep that happened to be there. Micheal set to work by the time more and more jeeps arrived. But in the ensuing moment my guest had the choicest of the shots.        

Munna is a magnificent tiger who rule over the Kisli Range of Kanha National Park. He has sired many generations of big cats. Though aging now,
Munna Tiger By Dinesh Makhija
he exudes immense power and is a bundle of muscle. He is one of the largest male in the park. He is able to hold a large territory not only by strength but more so by his experience. Young males are trying to make in roads into his domain but not with much success.      

Friday, May 15, 2015

Mahua & Sloth Bears at Kanha

The Mahua Tree has a legendary status amidst the Flora of Central India and perhaps other places. This tree is sacred and is never felled by the locals. Most cherished by the tribal, it is a symbol of the fruits of labor. The fruiting tree is very popular since the fruits whence dried and fermented are capable of yielding a coarse brew that can be very strong. 

The locals are inextricably linked with the intoxicant and hence the tree. And so is the illusive sloth bear which can be often seen foraging under its cool shade at Kanha National Park. It is also a part of many rites and rituals amongst the tribal.
Sloth Bear - Dinesh Makhija
Well, this is a good time to see the sloth bear in the park and the buffer zone. The highly nocturnal animal is seen by many tourists in the grassy meadows and the dense canopy in search of fallen Mahua fruits.    

On my recent guiding trips in the months of March April and May, I was able to sight many of these magnificent animals. The quest for nutritious Mahua fruit fetches the sloth into the open else it is highly nocturnal.   The Mahua fruit whence eaten fresh is a good source of vitamins and minerals besides loads of antioxidants. 

The tribal are allowed to keep a certain amount of fruits in their possession which dry out as time passes. The taste is acrid and sweet and I have regularly consumed it during my guiding trip at Courtyard House in Kanha. The brew is distilled as and when required while a coarse oil is also obtained for cooking.

Besides excellent source of nutrition, the fruit acts as a mild laxative and helps lubricate your innards well. About five fruits consumed for a week does the trick, hence it proves very good for those on a hard stool. He!He!      

Much ignored and maligned for the strong brew this is a tree in waiting for the modern World to benefit from its enrichment.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Ganesha on Tree

Nature takes bizarre shapes sometimes. Here is an image of tree trunk part of which is shaped like Lord Ganesha. See some more images by Ruchi Patel.

Black Stork
Bengal Tiger
Lord Ganesha Impression on Tree Trunk

Friday, January 30, 2015

Anshuman Singh

Anshuman Singh is a young lawyer based in Jabalpur in Central India. He is also a keen photographer and conservationist. At the forefront of conservation he participates with utmost sincerity in many activities relating to nature. He is active in initiating school children to nature conservation and birding. Here are some of the images by Anshuman Singh
Male Tiger

Pachmarhi Hill Resort

Painted Stork

Painted Stork in Flight

Tigress

Red Eye Tiger

Spectacled Cobra

Male Tiger

Male Tiger Kanha

Tigress

Patiha Female Bandhavgarh

Tree Planting + Indian Army

Umerpani Female Kanha

Verditor Flycatcher
 

The Tiger Story - Bandhavgarh

Leopard

Tiger

Male Tiger

Injured Blue Eyed Tiger and After wards

Blue Eyed Injured

Blue Tiger Bandhavgarh


Injured Tiger

Jeep Safari

Long Billed Vulture

Big Male Tiger

Tiger & Tree

Ruddy Mongoose
Alarmed Sambar

Save Tiger

Spotted Deer

Bengal Tiger

Tiger at Water

Tiger in Grass

Scent Marking Tiger

Snarling Tiger

Tiger Walk

Tige rin Bandhavgarh National Park

Wild Dog
Teerath Singh has been a great friend and client for website promotion. He is an equally great photographer, naturalist, and guide. Teerath Singh also operates a tour company called MP Tiger Safari in India.   

Bandhavgarh is a happening place and Teerath's Images keep telling exciting stories of the wild. Here is one incidence of a blue-eyed male tiger being injured in a fight and made to leave his territory. Well, this winter he is making a comeback. Territorial fights among the big cats could be a messy and bloody affair. See the images by Teerath Singh in this blog.