Felids Interactions - Interspecific Conflicts

[Pckts]

Ankit Singh Thakur
Tiger kills dhole !
Nagzira wildlife sanctuary (NNTR)
16th November 2020
In what must have been a dramatic sequence of action, a male tiger in Nagzira killed a dhole (wild dog). Not exclusive but rare indeed ! We were the first to reach the spot in morning safari. Noone saw the action but it was affirmed on the basis of following deductions:
* There were countless pugmarks of a male tiger around the body of the dead canid.
* No puncture marks but quite visible wounds and bruises along with a deformed spine.
* Excretion of fluids through anus signifying trauma or neurogenic shock.
* Trampled grasses around the body indicating the action that must have happened.
* Quite evident scrap marking of a tiger on the grass beside the dead body !
The entire sequence must have happened roughly 30-60 mins before we had reached the spot, just at the breaking of dawn. The tiger had then rested for sometime, clear impressions were visible on the road about 10 meters from the dead body. There is uncertainty about the identity of the male tiger but T9 was sighted around two weeks back almost at the same spot (Pitezari road).
Nagzira is known to have a thriving population of dholes. And this is not the first instance here where a tiger had killed dhole. The late legendary tigress of Nagzira, fondly knows as 'Maai' / A-mark was seen killing dholes couple of times in the past by many (me too) ! The insanely creepy screeching calls of dholes that followed later still brings goose bumps. 
Magical Nagzira !

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply