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Male Tigers with Cubs
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Basically a topic to keep track of male tigers with cubs, as rare it is. It is shocking that newer generation tigers seem to be very affectionate towards their cubs (so much for the male tigers having nothing to do with cubs?
 *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male with his four female cubs - Sonam, Geeta, Lara and Mona (FYI - this is the second official litter of Wagdoh and the first with Madhuri or the previous Teliya Queen)  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh with the 4 angels again  *This image is copyright of its original author It was a tragedy to the Tiger Lovers when the Kachida Tigress, T-5, was dead in February this in Ranthambore, India. We published here an article in the memory of the beautiful tigress after the death due to maggot-infested wounds.At the time of death, the tigress left two just three months old cubs. These cubs created some real worries to the wildlife lovers as the tiger cubs are dependent upon their mother till at least 24 months.The authorities have been trying hard to keep these cubs alive by providing food at hand. The authorities were not very clear about the activities of the cubs. But a recent discovery about the cubs has really brought excitement and surprise to the wildlife lovers across the globe.Few days back, the Forest authorities discovered pugmarks of a male tiger along with the cubs. This was matter of real worry to the authority. Because male tigers are known to be the greatest danger for any cubs. The mother single handedly raise cubs and protect its cubs from any full grown male. The male normally kill the cubs to mate with the mother or for territorial threat. Son from the pug marks of the Kachida cubs along with a male tiger made forest officials to believe that the male must be following the cubs for preying upon.To get a clear picture of the situation, authorities put camera trapping in the area. When the camera results came, it took everyone by surprise. Instead of preying, the male tiger is roaming with the cubs. The male tiger is identified as T-25. And much to the surprise, the tiger has even reduced its territory. Its now believed the tiger is in fact protecting the cubs. Its raising the cubs like a mother. Its in fact allowing to share its killings to the cubs. In fact the food provided by the forest department to the cubs is not taken by the male.According the forest officials, the male tiger T-25 was seen mating with Kachida tigress, T-5. So there are definite reasons to believe that T-25 is the father of the cubs. T25 is a large male with dollar marks in its stomach. Thats why it is widely known as “Dollar male” too. It is a dominant male in the Kachida region. This reveals a really exciting and unknown chapter of tiger’s social behaviour. Sometimes male tigers have been spotted spending time with mother & cubs and even sharing a meal but this is for the first time that cubs have been spotted alone with male tiger. Its amazing to see this time a male tiger alone raising its cub like mother. The Ranthambore is now becoming a new learning for the tiger experts. It will be interesting to see how successful will be a male tiger in raising cubs. Whether it will add another success story to Ranthambore.  *This image is copyright of its original author Male from Jamunbodi Tadoba with his cub (2005)  *This image is copyright of its original author Langda Munna - Legendary male tiger from Kanha Tiger Reserve who has been ruling the Meadows since the Mid 2008, here he is shown taking care of his cub when the mother is not around.  *This image is copyright of its original author will post the rest later.. 
Male tiger name T-25 aka dollar from RTR. He is well know for attacking vehicles coming into the reserve. But what surprising is, he successfully raised two of his cub when the female died.
 *This image is copyright of its original author According to author Quote:Dollar male for RTR. The most surprising element of Dollar is that he is also being protecting and accompanying the female cubs as potential mates. T25 the male tiger is also famous as the dollar because of presence of dollar shape on his right flank stripe, this tiger does not like human presence at all and found chasing the vehicles coming into the reserve, and present himself as a king in front of the visitors. Photographer: Vipin Sharma (source indianaturewatch)  *This image is copyright of its original author B2 with one of the mirchaini male cub again.  *This image is copyright of its original author A big male with his cub, not sure who the male is (looks like a Ranthambore male to me - they have these kind of facial stripes)  *This image is copyright of its original author Tadoba male with his cub (old pic and not sure who this male is)  *This image is copyright of its original author Male tiger to the left - female to the right and her two cubs to the right having a nice time in the pool.  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 with his female cub  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 with his female cub again  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 with cub part 3  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 with cub part 4  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 protecting his cub from a charging female (T-17 aka Machli's daughter)  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 with the female cub again  *This image is copyright of its original author Young father from Nepal with his two cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author Part 2  *This image is copyright of its original author Adult male from Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve taking care of his two cubs This is all for now, I am looking for the Ranthambore documentary that features X male with his cubs but i can't find it anywhere on youtube so if anyone has the link please post it. I could use those pictures in this.  *This image is copyright of its original author Waghdoh and one of the cub again.  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh with his little daughters (now fully grown)  *This image is copyright of its original author baby-sitting time  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Munna from Kanha with his set of cubs and the wifey  *This image is copyright of its original author B1 with his cub  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh and the family again  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh and the cub  *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 aka Romeo with one of his daughters  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male again with the cub  *This image is copyright of its original author Late Challenger of Bandhavgarh with wife and cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author Sub-adult Kallu visiting his younger siblings  *This image is copyright of its original author the cubs and their older brother again  *This image is copyright of its original author Kaziranga tiger family, mother, dad and cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Bamera with his cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male with the cub again  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male getting ready to charge at the bear  *This image is copyright of its original author Ruthless male Shivaji with the cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author Shivaji with the cubs again  *This image is copyright of its original author Shivaji with his cub  *This image is copyright of its original author Shivaji with the cub  *This image is copyright of its original author Posing  *This image is copyright of its original author baby-sitting with style  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh again  *This image is copyright of its original author T-24 aka Ustaad with his cub "Sultan" and wife Noor "T-39"  *This image is copyright of its original author [font]Another action shot of T-39 Mala (to the left) Sultan (Middle) and T-24 aka Ustaad (Far right) [/font][font]At Ranthambore National Park, male tigers play mother[/font] The tiger's roar is becoming more and more "affectionate". And this is becoming "infectious" at the Ranthambore National Park. It is a rare behaviour among the male tigers, but as they say only change is permanent! T-25 was reportedly the first documented tiger to play "father figure" to cubs and since then officials have now recorded at least six more male tigers at the park, who are playing the daddy's role and are helping tigresses in bringing up the young ones. Male tigers are not known to take care of the young ones and are, on the contrary, kept away from the cubs by the tigresses. Generally, the mother takes care of the cubs till they are at least two-year-old while the father plays a mere visitor. "What is now happening in Ranthambore will denote the sheer complexity of tiger behaviour. The trend of tigers preferring solitude is gradually changing at the park. In fact, we have witnessed a peculiar, astonishing and amazing breakthrough in the behaviour of male tigers," said Rajesh Kumar Gupta, field director, Ranthambhore tiger reserve. Gupta has documented the behaviour or these six tigers in the current publication of Project Tiger. "In Ranthambore National Park, T-19 female with three cubs are in the bigger home range of their presumed father T-28. The territory of T-28 has increased or varies with the movement of T-19 and her three cubs, signifying reach of parental protection by the males. On March 18, I sighted T-19 tigress with two cubs. One of the cubs stood up and moved close to the male tiger T-28 and sat beside him for affection," wrote Gupta. "On March 29, 2012, I spotted tigress T-8 and her two cubs while returning from night patrolling and also saw tiger T-34 near them. The cubs were again spotted with the tigress and the tiger few days later in the same area. It has been noticed that T-8 with her two cubs are residing within the home range of T-34 male in the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary," he says. "Tigress T-26 with three cubs live in the close vicinity of T-20, an aged tiger. T-31 with two cubs are frequently visited by tiger T-23. T-11 with three cubs are protected by T-33. T-30 with a litter of three cubs are being protected by T-3 and T-9 with two cubs are protected by T-33, a male tiger," he noted. Earlier, the national park had documented male tiger T-25 roaming with two orphaned cubs and was protecting them since they were four months old. T-25 did so in a range of other tigers, panthers and hyenas after their mother T-5 had died within 9 to 10 days after delivery. The tiger has also been sighted in direct confrontation with tigress T-17 while protecting these cubs. When contacted, Gupta explained, "It could be that the father of the cubs are providing parental protection to prevent infanticide and establish 'genetic supremacy' in the park. However, what has become clear is that male tigers do display affectionate behaviour, resorting to parental care. But research and observation should continue to reach a definite conclusion." http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-04/jaipur/32536471_1_three-cubs-ranthambore-national-park-t-25  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male with his cub  *This image is copyright of its original author Jacuzzi with the Daddy  *This image is copyright of its original author pose with Daddy..  *This image is copyright of its original author in the water-hole with the cubs again  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male's cub facing off with a Sloth bear *This image is copyright of its original author
 *This image is copyright of its original author [align=-webkit-center]getting up to charge at the bear[/align]
 *This image is copyright of its original author T-25 aka Zalim or Dollar male with the one of the cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male with the cubs  *This image is copyright of its original author Wagdoh male with the Wagdoh female and one of the cub in the background to the (Far left) Wagdoh with his sub-adult daughters (now fully grown) So far, Wagdoh had 100% luck raising his cubs to maturity and providing full protection to almost all of the cubs. when he had cubs with Madhuri and Wagdoh female, he bounced back and forth to spend time with both families to keep things balanced and ended up successfully raising all of his cubs.. [img]images/smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] best father by far imho. T-25 aka Zalim made headlines for taking care of his cubs when their mother died, raised both cubs to full maturity and is now enjoying a new life in Ranthambore by dethroning T-6 aka Romeo from his territory. both the cubs of T-25 were named after the Politician "Bina Kak", the cubs names were as followed "Bina 1 and Bina 2" . both of them are now in Sariska - follow up link (Below) http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bina-1...ska-321413 
The tiger's bigger brain might've just paved the way for the complex social lifestyle observed. T-25 seems to have been concious and intelligent enough to break away from the "instincts" of males and devote his time to his cubs. Wagdoh also seems to show strong interest in his families. A good formula to ensure he isn't the last giant of Tadoba.
In fact, tigers are very good fathers, even better than male lions!
Male tigers are known to feed they young, to raise them, to protect them and even play with subadult cubs. Observations of Thapar, Schaller and several modern pictures, like these ones, show that the male tigers are excellent fathers among the world of cats. The male tigers are known to eat after they sons and tigress had done it, even when it is his own prey! 
We can't say whos a better father between tigers and lions. They live completely different lives, lion cubs have a entire pride to take care of them, Male lions don't need to be a good father, but they still tolerate, protect and let them feed on kills with them.
Tigers have only mother and father, and in T25's case, only father to take care of them. Tiger males have no choice but to be "better fathers" because without them, these tiger cubs have a very slim chance of surviving to adult hood without a prime males protection. I think we all know by now that Male tigers are extremely good fathers and protectors. Shivaji is another tiger that comes to mind. I think that where the higher intelligence factor really comes in, is the tigers ability to take advantage of situations that are presented and also being able to survey a situation and learn from it. Like sneaking through a fenced off area, grabbing a cattle calf and instead of eating it there where the villagers are, he takes it back under the fence, walks around then makes off with it. Almost like a serial killer trying to avoid being caught by the police. I'm sure it also plays a role in raising cubs as well, but usually most animals are great parents. Maybe not every time, but I would bet that wild animals are far more effective parents than humans are. 
This topic is simply amazing. I've never known male tigers to be this fatherly to their cubs, with more and more people photographing them and having better technology to capture moments thought to be "rare" are getting more frequent.
Pckts that was a very good post from you, I tend to agree on much of what you said, however the intelligence to sneak off with a cow or other livestock is also done by lions too, however in this case, groups of males or groups of females and or groups of different sex sometimes work together to find weakness in fence and come back when the farmers are alseep and steal the prey. However there are some rather dumb animals that attack and kill the prey on the spot waking up the farmers and what not. Now about fathers, I tend to agree with you about how lion cubs are raised by aunts moms grandmothers older sisters ect. male lions tend to be aggressive at meals on average, but there are many lion fathers who are dedicated like these male tigers, I believe there have been male lions raising cubs from the female who died, others have not. Wagdoh is my favorite by far father, the pictures are breath taking.~~The extraordinarily caring tigerMay 2012. In the sun baked Araveli hills and lakes of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India, an extraordinary wild drama is being played out.The well-known and patient tigress, Kachida, had already raised three cubs to full maturity in the park, between 2007 and 2010, putting up with her mature brood well into their adulthood. She was also a favourite to visitors and the park guards, being completely comfortable with humans in her territory.Balendu Singh, an honorary Wildlife Warden, found Kachida in the small pool behind the Dhakara anicut in late January last year. Soon, two healthy cubs came scampering down to the water's edge calling for their mother. Traces of blood on the mouths and paws confirmed that the cubs had eaten meat from a fresh kill, likely to have been one of their first proper meals, after coming off their mother's milk.Tragedy Tragically, only two weeks later, Kachida came within 50 metres of chowki (guard post) and was heard roaring throughout the night, deeply unsettling the forest guards inside. In the cold dawn that morning, the guards found her dead body under a gum tree, after an agonizing death that night from blocked intestines. Mother found dead through internal haemoraging. Photo credit Balendu SinghMother found dead through internal haemoraging. Photo credit Balendu Singh A frantic search for the now orphaned cubs ensued. What should the authorities do? Experts stressed that her four month old cubs would die without support within a few days - but the cubs had other survival ideas. They feed on the small chunks of meat and water put out for them, and guards were placed on duty day and night to watch them. A zoo was always an option, and as days past when they could not be found concern mounted and everyone feared the worst."We feared greatly for their survival" said Yogesh Sahu, the Deputy Field director, in charge of the park.Remarkable turnaround Then two months later in May last year, a series of camera trap pictures revealed a most astonishing fact. A large male tiger was captured on camera, walking with the cubs some five kilometres from their den.Here was their father, the dominant male of the area, out on his regular territorial walk with his own small orphaned cubs. Nothing like this had ever been recorded before. A male tiger, taking on a mother's role - and from such a tender age. Follow the tiger's storyThe male tiger, known as Dollar (called because of the dollar shape stripes on his right flank), is often seen hunting and allowing his daughters to eat from his kill, not merely protecting them from other tigers, which is usually the father's only job. Those who have been privileged enough to spot this family have seen the cubs nuzzle a sleeping father who would lift his paw and ‘pat' the cub down near him, in the manner of mother. Recently Dollar come out from the bush, cubs in tow patrolling his territory, spray-marking trees, rolling in the scent left by him or scalding the wrong-doings of his daughters.The cubs are alive and well today, and history is being well and truly rewritten by this extraordinary father, after nearly a year of fatherly motherhood.Not yet out of danger But this does not mean the two cubs are out of danger yet. The worry is that a new female tigress, coming into his prime territory, may well alter his protective and caring behaviour towards his daughters.Would he stop protecting them? What happens when they mature? Will a transient male kill them first? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The daughters were 6months of age when he started caring for them, before then people were helping out. I wonder if h was aware of them being alone at 4months but did not know how to take care of them that young and or was just not in the area? I wonder what the youngest they can take care of them, has to be after weening?
Nice post Brittany, I am going to add to it..
Quote:The worry is that a new female tigress, coming into his prime territory, may well alter his protective and caring behaviour towards his daughters.Would he stop protecting them? This actually did happen when Satra aka T-17 (now missing) tried to attack one of the female cub and daddy swung into action and warned her. Part #1 of the series T-17 : spots the cub and was not aware that the father T-25 is sitting nearby, she goes in stalking mode and is almost ready to charge at the cub. The Cub : sees T-17 and gets really nervous, the cub goes and hides behind her father (T-25) who's sitting a few meters away and is completely hidden from T-17's view. Part #2 of the series T-25 : gets up and starts walking towards T-17. T-17 : sees T-25 approaching her and backs off T-25 : approaches her and tells her to stay away from his daughter. T-17 : learns her lesson. T-25 : goes back to his cub that was watching the whole show. conclusion : cub is the real winner here and the entire world gets to witness a male tiger protecting his cub, a feat that has never been documented in the world before.  *This image is copyright of its original author *This image is copyright of its original author here are some shots of the Heroic father and the immensely lucky daughter (below).  *This image is copyright of its original author I covered this almost two years ago on ava, good times [img]images/smilies/tongue.gif[/img]
Very good post roflcopters, I love the images, t25 is dollar male then right? Dollar male is his nickname because the dollar sign on his stomach back leg?
I love the picture of him yelling at his cub lol |
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