Remember your mother teaching you how to take the first steps as a baby? Or, holding your hand while crossing a road?
A tigress is no different. We saw it this morning in Pench National Park, MP. Lakshmi the tigress wanted her three cubs to cross a muddy track safely. How did she do it? How did she teach her cubs to do it?
See the videos and pictures below. Since all three of us, Debu, CP and me were in a rear row of safari vehicles, we could not get a vantage view. But the entire sequence of the tigress as a perfect mother and teacher unfolded before some 100-odd tourists. And left us speechless.
Lakshmi first crossed the track alone, paused, looked around, traversed back and repeated the sequence more tgan once. She did this to ensure the safety of the cubs on the other side of the forest track.
She then let the cubs follow her to cross over. Initially hesitant, two of the cubs ran and overtook her to safety of the bushes on the other side.
The third cub probably the shyest of all, had stayed back. Now before the tigress could go and fetch the third cub, she stood gazing sideways as if sizing up the situation and telling us to give way to the cub. The forest guides and drivers immediately signalled all the vehicles to back off saying 'Bacche aa rahey hain' the cubs are coming, the cubs are coming! After a wider passage was made, she went back to fetch the remaining cub. The third cub may have been scared initially, but soon out ran the mother to join the other two cubs.
Watch above scene enacted live in Pench National Park. Thanks Debu and CP for sharing the videos.
The forest in not all about the tigers. Other animals, birds and trees are equally exciting if you have the patience. See the langurs in action.
Thanks Harsh. Owl was photographed brilliantly. Your story telling was excellent to me who never went on " Tigers' Trail "
ReplyDeleteThanks much for your appreciation
DeleteVery well articulated and captured! Thank you so much sir ☺️
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation.
DeleteThank you Harsh for sharing
ReplyDeleteNot many of us may have seen such a scene
Thanks Sir
DeleteNice to see these beautiful Jungle habitats. Owl had stealth in the tree and looking as part of the tree. Thanks taking around kanha national park.
ReplyDeleteThanks Prof.
DeleteBeautifully captured the tigress teaching the cubs how to cross
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. Thanks.
DeleteThats was quite an eyeful.Thanks for sharing the tigers tale!
ReplyDeleteThanks much Peter. Appreciate
DeleteBeautiful, Harsh. Thanks for sharing. My daughter and I had an exciting safari trip to Kruger National Park in 2000 or maybe 1999. We joined my husband in Pretoria and since he was busy with his clients for a couple of days, I mustered enough courage to drive there alone with my newly-turned teenager in a small rental car for a 2-day safari with lodging inside the park. In our guided tour, we spotted lions and other animals from afar, but the real excitement came on our way back after the tour the following morning. We were still on a long stretch of dirt road before reaching the proper road and highway when we were stopped by a family of 4 lions - lion, lioness and two cubs. A huge lion suddenly appeared in front of our car that felt so tiny in front of him. He stood in front of the car and glared directly at me. I was terrified but couldn't stop looking at him. Fortunately, my daughter was asleep, lying down in the back seat, unaware of anything. I turned off the car, pulled up the windows and just sat there, trembling. After a few minutes, which seemed a lifetime, he lay down a few feet in front of our car and kept staring at me. He was soon joined by the two cubs followed by mama lion. (Maybe the lioness came first and then the lion, I don't remember exactly the sequence). They all sat there for a couple of minutes or so, staring at me and I back at them, praying and terrified. Then one by one, they got up and very slowly, in a line, crossed over the other side into the jungle. I waited until they were not visible, and drove away slow and steady, looking in the rearview mirror all the time in case one or all of them changed their mind to come back and perhaps decided to charge at me or overturn my car!! I had a camera, no cellphone in those days, but was too scared to move and grab my camera or do anything. Later regretted not taking at least one pic! However, the scene is etched in my memory and I still remember that incident very vividly.
ReplyDeleteSorry for this very long comment.
Wow Anita, what an encounter. Brilliantly recalled.
DeleteYes, they say just stand still if on foot or sit quietly when inside a vehicle. Most likely the animal will walk away.
Admire your presence of mind and courage.
Thanks for sharing.
Harsh, my previous very long comment published as Anonymous, didn't pay attention at that time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anita.
DeleteLike a far bank recce to ensure that the crossing is safe.
ReplyDeleteGreat going Ghumakkad
You said it Jai in true infantry lingo!
DeleteThanks much.
It's incredible to think about the excitement of photographing tigers and their cubs in their natural habitat! Your article, 'Lakshmi The Tigress Teacher', is a testament to your skill, with engaging video and written coverage
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation Ravi.
DeleteBeautifully captured.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Looking forward for more
Thanks much Sangeeta.
DeleteMore coming.
Stay connected.
Lucky sighting in the very first go. Sir wild life photography is not easy, as animals shy away. You seem to be an expert in it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation.
DeleteHarsh, how exciting for you and your buddies to see and videograph a tigress teaching her cubs to walk across the path! Shots of peacock, owl ,video of langurs swinging branch to branch, and the jungle at dawn ... All are brilliant! Your love for all things natural shines forth in your descriptions. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteThanks much Trixie. Every visit to a forest gives me a new learning. Nature has an infinite treasure!
DeleteBeautiful ! Loved the narrative ....Great writing Harsh !
ReplyDeleteThanks much Ruma. Appreciation from regular readers like you, keeps me going!
Delete