ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[peter]

TIGERS AND WILD BOARS - 2


When reading the last posts, I thought I saw a few misconceptions about tigers and large prey animals. Not saying wild boars were completely dismissed, but it seemed close at times. As we don't want to create an incorrect picture, I decided for a few scans.

There's no question that tigers attack and kill large prey animals in India. There're well-documented reports about tigers killing rhinos, gaurs and even elephants. The information on tigers targeting rhinos (females with cubs in particular) is somewhat disturbing, because of the low number of rhinos in India.

Although tigers succeed on most occasions, things can go wrong at times. Tigers have been killed by bears, wild boars, gaurs and elephants. No question whatsoever.

The stories below were written by people in the know. Some of them actually saw a fight from start to finish.

a - Gaur and tiger

*This image is copyright of its original author

b - Wild boar and tiger

b1 - The Luckvalley tiger

This tiger was shot by Wiele between 1900-1910 in southern India. Have a look at the gun and the tiger. He wasn't measured or weighed, but it was a giant. In spite of his size, a large male wild boar took his kill when he was out for a drink. Wiele didn't see the fight when the tiger returned to his kill, but he heard every detail. The boar, who had chosen his position wisely, was able to keep the tiger at bay. A draw maybe, but one in favour of the boar.    

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

b2 - Southern India. 

This was written by a man in the know:

*This image is copyright of its original author

 
b3 - Northern India

Carrington, a Forest Officer, was in Kumaon for a long time and he saw a lot. Read the part about a fight between a boar and a tiger:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

c - Conclusion

There are more reliable observations about tigers and wild boars in India. A lot more. Wild boars seldom exceed 300 lbs. nowadays, but it was quite different a century ago. I read plenty of reports about boars well exceeding 400 pounds and, in northeastern India, well over that mark (up to 600 lbs.). Old male boars of that size were seldom, if ever, attacked.

Information from Russia is few and far between. What I read, however, suggests that Ussuri wild boars are larger than those in India. In spite of that, tigers hunt them. More so than in India. Specialists often 'herd' a sounder until all animals have been killed. I know that old male wild boars live on their own most of the time, but they are hunted as well.

Although they hunt wild boars more often than Indian tigers, Amur tigers seldom perish in fights. In fact, I only know of two cases. One of these was a female. Happened a long time ago. This should tell you something.

For some reason, Amur tigers are capable to take even large wild boars. If we add bears, the conclusion is that Amur tigers seem to be specialists on dangerous animals. Every disadvantage (tough conditions, long distances, few large prey animals and deep snow) has an advantage (survivors often develop into specialists).

But I could be wrong. Reply