Predation of Adult Rhino By Kaziranga Tigers: WII Expert Rabin Sharma’s Documentation

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(11-15-2019, 12:25 AM)Pckts Wrote:

(11-14-2019, 07:38 PM)Shadow Wrote:

(11-13-2019, 03:27 PM)Rishi Wrote:

(11-13-2019, 12:21 PM)Ashutosh Wrote: Great find @Roflcopters. I seem to recall another case of a tiger and rhino found dead alongside, but, in that instance there was scat discovered of a third tiger. The dead tiger was a sub-adult and the theory went that a big male had killed a female rhino, and this subadult was very much tucking into the kill when the big male discovered it doing so and killed it. Do you happen to know anything about that incident?


Would actually love to see some footage of how a 250 kilo tiger brings down a 1700 kilo female rhino. Would be fascinating.

Something to wonder indeed. 

Note that in the first case it was a clear hamstringing, with visible claw gashes on both hind legs & torn up hindquarters...

(11-12-2019, 11:31 AM)Roflcopter Wrote:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

...but in the second set of photos the tiger is eating from the rhino's shoulder-blades & neck, instead of the rump where they usualy start. Go figure.

(11-13-2019, 01:32 AM)Roflcopters Wrote:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

That 600 kg rhino was obviously a calf. What comes to that adult female it´s interesting that there were 3-4 tigers hunting it, I think that there is another case also from past with 4 tigers attacking an adult rhino. Have some tigers learned, that rhino is too tough opponent to attack alone, so occasionally hunting like lions? Quite interesting to find information for this kind of situations. Also that male rhino and tiger found dead close to each others would be interesting to find more information. I didn´t see any injuries in photos when looking at rhino. Tiger had obvious big wounds, but was rhino killed by wounds or heart attack etc. if old male. It would make sense, that tiger would attack if noticing, that unhealthy or injured rhino already because so dangerous animal to attack.

It´s a pity, that usually very little information when cases like these.

600kg is no where near a calf, possibly a sub adult but still a huge beast.

They did conduct post mortem on the male Rhino and concluded it was due to Interspecific fighting, the Rhino also does appear to have blood dripping from it's hind section as well but it's hard to see from the single shot.

"After thorough observation by Research Officer, Range Officer, Forest Veterinery Officer, Field Director, Deputy Field Director, Vets from CWRC, Honorary Wl Warden in presence of NTCA representatives, staff, media persons and after thorough Post Mortem, it was concluded that cause of death of two flagship species is 'interspecific fight', which is perfactly natural."

The likely hood of it being a heart attack yet still being able to fight and kill a large male tiger simultaneously isn't likely.

If I don´t remember all wrong, adult females are around 1 600 kg and males 2100 kg, so a 600 kg rhino is hardly sub adult, calf is right term as far as I understand, what comes to these animals.

And what comes to that case with dead rhino and tiger, I didn´t see any wounds or blood there in those photos. Also killing a tiger and then having some kind of seizure wouldn´t surprise me at all. I remember reading about one case with old rhino, which had heart attack because of tiger attacking it. A lot of stress tends to cause such things for mammals, especially if old or bad health. I would call that too perfectly normal interspecific fight, because predators often target to individuals, which show signs of weakness. As I said, it´s pity that so little information about cases like this one. When I don´t see any blood in those photos what comes to this case with dead rhino and tiger, when I look at that rhino, it makes me wonder did it die to injuries or seizure caused by stress. So seizure when or right after fighting with that tiger.

We can all speculate naturally, but maybe someone finds more information from officials? Very interesting incident. Reply