There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
If I were to say that Gaurs make up zero percent of the tigers diet in Ranthambhore, I would be technically right. But that is simply because there are no Gaurs in Ranthambhore. In fact, gaurs are absent in all of Northern and western India and most of the Terai landscape as well.
What people tend to not realize is that Gaurs are not found all over India, but only the central-eastern and southern forests. That too they occur in high densities only in the Southern forests, which is why they constitute a bigger percentage of the tiger's diet there than anywhere else.
Gaurs tend to prefer dense jungles and mountainous terrains. Some of India's best photographed reserves like Ranthambhore, Corbett and Bandhavgarh (I won't count that one herd) have no gaurs, and even in Kanha, tadoba and pench they don't occur at that high densities like in Bandipur and Nagarahole. That is why there are not many footage of tigers taking down gaur, since they are relatively rare and inhabit denser forests where photography is difficult.
Same is true for the wild water buffalo. It is mostly extinct outside of Kaziranga where too it is outnumbered by rhinos and elephants. In fact, India has more elephants than gaurs and water buffaloes put together.
Can a male Tiger have a successful face to face kill on a Adult Bull Gaur?
