The Terai Tiger

[Pckts]

(12-12-2019, 03:51 AM)Ashutosh Wrote: @Roflcopters Nagarhole is where I saw my first tiger on my fourth safari. It was a female. She is called Tank Tigress or TT for short. What was weird was I had seen two melanistic leopards before I saw my first tiger! The tigers in Kabini are very shy. This would be 2015. 

The Raja poaching was just so weird because the snout was missing and then these grazers took out his teeth. But, all his body parts were intact. Since then, Bandipur has had other issues with wildfire concerns, man-animal conflict is pretty high (not just tigers) and lately it’s about the roadway that goes through it. 

What is commendable is that the wildlife department have gone about their duties in the background, and this was seen in the tiger census. Both Kabini and Bandipur have reached their carrying capacities (which means more tigers on the fringes, more movement in search of territory and more intraspecies death). Nagarhole’s plan to add 200 sq.km to the park has been approved, I am guessing there is something similar for Bandipur as well. Together, there are about 240 tigers in 1500 sq.km. (plus plan for additional 200sq.km). That is one of the best tiger densities in the country. The new challenge is how to ensure that space and corridor are intact. Considering these two parks have a whopping 6 different haplogroup markers of Bengal subspecies, it is absolutely imperative that their diversity is conserved for the whole Western Ghat-Nilgiri belt. 

On a personal note, I am glad that Bandipur has had this gap of exposure as the FD can go about their jobs without the additional focus on them because that focus will definitely be back on them after a couple of years.

@Rishi, I know. I was naive to think I will get to see tigers myself and I can take their picture then(I am horrible with a camera, though).

I would love to try S. India if I ever make it back to India, the parks there are so underutilized.
They have Gaur, Elephant, Leopard, dhole, Tiger, etc. 
It always looks so lush and green, it really is a destination that most photographers aren't taking advantage of. Reply