Tigers of Central India

[Jeffrey]

Ashwin Mehendale

Survival in the forests.

The subdult male cub of Mahaveer female aka MB2 who killed one of the three cubs of chhoti Mada ( another tigress from the Mukki zone)

The killer from Mukki.
Chhoti Mada with her perished cub.(Record shot)


Mahaveer's subadult cub
Kanha national park,
April 2018


Image 1 PP- @ameya791
With reference to the title...
On our last safari in these historical sal trees and unfathomable meadows I was in mukki zone searching for this elusive Cat, suddenly we sensed  a very foul smell of probably something dead. Clear sign of kill / predator is around.

Suddenly I heard a small growl  and a tigress came out of the bushes and I witnessed a tragedy in front of my eyes. “Chhoti Mada” ( Tigress) was carrying her dead 4 months old cub in her mouth which was killed by this MB2 tiger in the picture. There was a blue silence in the air. She went and kept her dead loved one in the bushes , came out , she was growling, I can clearly sense the grief and equally rage in her growl, she was devastated. Nature.

All of sudden I heard a growl on the other side where she was sitting. The juvenile killer came out of the bushes. He realized that he has no chance against her. As whenever a tigress, especially a mother, is in rage or grief or anger, she can take down a full grown male tiger as well.

Soon as she saw him, she charged on him with a rage! The harsh roar echoed!! Scared, he ran away but all remained with her was a grief of losing her beloved one.

That's what it takes for survival in these uncanny forests. Nature. The survival of the fittest!

*This image is copyright of its original author

Mb2 subadult cub of mahaveer female.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Choti mada with her cub.

I don't believe a tigress could take down an "fully grown male" but there are known cases of tigresses beating and scaring young ones away. Reply