Wild Tigers Gallery

Tucked away in the jungles of Central India, the Tala range of Bandhavgarh is home to one of the highest densities of tigers to be found anywhere in the world.

It has been twelve years since I saw my first wild tiger there – an adult tigress, called Bachchi. Though only a glimpse, I remember her emerging from the undergrowth and quickly crossing the forest track in front of me – her beauty and presence were mesmerising… and so began my passion for these magnificent cats.

Latest news from Bandhavgarh

When I am photographing in India I work with my great friends Kay & Satyendra Tiwari, naturalists who live on the edge of the Bandhavgarh - their knowledge of the forest is second to none. And when I am in the UK Kay sends me regular updates on the tigers. Here is the latest end of season (July 2010) news:

Now almost 14 years-old, Sundar  has changed his behaviour and is now very rarely seen. However to make up for his elusivity, on the last day of the season (30th June) he made an appearance for Kay & Satyendra - emerging from a gorge walking for a short way along a forest track before disappearing into the jungle. He looked in very good shape and is obviously still holding on to his prime territory - we hope he will reign as long as his grandfather, Charger, who lived until he was 15.  The other older male, Shaki is still living in the other area of the range. There is a young male in the forest, known as Kallu, who is a potential challenger to Sundar And Shaki - we will have to watch and see how he develops.

The other exciting news from the jungle is that Pyari, who I thought had either died or moved away, has been found in another part of the Bandhavgarh range fit and healthy with her 3 cubs, that are now 20 months-old. Pyari is now 14 years-old, so it is unlikely that she will have any more cubs (she has had 17!) - though you never know.

Sadly Durga, died two months ago, tragically hit by a vehicle driving illegally in the forest at night. She had three young cubs that are now being cared for in a semi-wild enclosure in the middle of the jungle. Her sisters, Indrani & Lakshmi are both around. Indrani has four almost adult cubs - though these are rarely see. Lakshmi is more often observed with her two cubs - she has limping for a long time (her hip may have been dislocated) but is somehow still managing to raise her cubs. When these cubs are old enough to survive alone, there is the possibility that the authorities may try to operate on the leg.

Of the other tigresses Tulsi has three  year-old cubs, a male & two females and Chameli has three 6 month- old cubs. And there is now a new young female (from Reshma’s last litter) living in the jungle around the Banbehi area. I look forward to seeing the progress of these tigers.

Thee have also been good sightings of leopard, sloth bear and recently a rusty-spotted cat - a ‘first’ for Bandhavgarh.

More news very soon.

How you can help save the tiger

On 14th February the Chinese Year of the Tiger began. While of huge cultural significance, 2010 is also a critical year for tiger conservation. Worldwide there may only be 3000 tigers left in the wild.

Tiger campaigners are working hard to ensure that  2010 is a good one. There are a number of important meetings, including one hosted by Russian PM Vladimir Putin to agree a global plan to combat the illegal tiger trade and also to close the tiger farms in China.  Over the past decade I have worked closely with the amazing tiger campaigners at the Environmental Investigation Agency - take a look at the special Year of The Tiger action page on their website. They need your support.

Books and prints

If you’ve enjoyed this gallery, you’ll love my tiger books, prints, mugs & coasters, calendars and cards.