Modern weights and measurements on wild tigers

[Pckts]

Posted By


Tamojit Ghosh



"I  obtained a kill by a particularly fine tiger subsequently
shot by Mr. (now Sir) W. L. Stampe and measuring over 10 feet
between pegs and I set my automatic flashlight traps over the
kill in the usual way, requiring about two hours' silent work on
foot at the kill, with the tiger hanging about all the time.
I then left the kill for the night and returned in the morning
on foot and with no weapon, to see what had happened. On
reaching the spot I found that the tiger had returned and had
removed the kill without firing my flashlight in a way which
seemed to me quite impossible.
I was so astonished that, without thinking what I was
doing, I silently followed the drag, accompanied by my Garhwali
orderly, Mahendra Singh, up a steep slope culminating in a
small plateau. On reaching the plateau we found that the
drag went round a big rock, so we went round the rock too,
and suddenly blundered right on the kill with the tiger in
possession ! The distance could not have been more than
five or six yards and the tiger had apparently been so engrossed
in his meal that he hadn't heard us coming.
As we turned the corner, however, he suddenly looked up
and immediately crouched with a horrible snarl, lashing his
tail from side to side and ready to spring at any moment. The
situation was critical and it really looked as though our number
was up this time. We had no rifle. The tiger had been suddenly
disturbed and was obviously very angry.
Retreat was very difficult either for the tiger or for us.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S POINT OF VIEW 33
But instinctively we both did the only possible thing in such
circumstances and "
froze," staring the tiger straight in the eyes.
This continued for a minute or so, the tiger snarling and lashing
his tail and we standing motionless with our hearts beating like
sledge-hammers. Then we began gradually to move backwards
inch by inch, hoping that the tiger wouldn't notice that we were
moving.
The snarls increased.
We stopped, fearing the worst. But as opportunity offered
we continued our almost imperceptible retreat, until finally
with sighs of relief we disappeared behind the rock.
The tiger did not follow and we beat a hasty retreat ! This
was, I think, one of the nearest things I have ever had, as the
slightest sudden movement on our part would have precipitated
an attack which we could never have met, with no weapon
between us.
Anyhow,
"
All's well that ends well," but I shall always
remain thankful that I had a staunch man with me, who instantly
realised without being told indeed, there was no
opportunity to speak ! what was the only chance of escaping
from a really critical situation.
I think that most shikaris will agree that this sudden
meeting with an angry tiger would have been a tense moment,
even if I had been armed with a heavy rifle. Without a rifle
at all,
"
tense
"
hardly describes the situation.------------- FW Champion ..



From: With A Camera in Tigerland by F.W.Champion IFS (1927), Chatto & Windus, London. Reply