Wild Tigers Gallery

Tucked away in the forests 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 eleven years since I saw my first wild tiger there – an adult tigress, called Bachchi. Though only a brief glimpse, I remember her stepping out of 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.

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 we speak most weeks to catch up with the latest news

Latest news

Sundar, star of my book ‘Tiger Jungle’, wins a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award.

On 8th April,  Satyendra gave me the following tiger update.

Durga has spent the morning playing with her two female cubs by a waterhole in Raj Behra meadow. A short while later they were seen chasing a leopard off its kill. Durga’s third male cub is very shy and is rarely seen. The cubs are not far from becoming adult so may disperse during the summer monsoon.

Indrani and Lakshmi are both doing well. Probably because of her small territory, Lakshmi doesn’t have cubs at present, however the pressure on her space in Bandhavgarh has recently been eased. Last month the authorities relocated a tigress (P13) from Bandhavgarh and one from Kanha to Panna - which had lost all its tigers. This relocation has been heavily criticised by experts, they feel that little has changed in Panna to effectively tackle the poaching crisis there  - the reason why Panna had no tigers. Let’s hope the relocations bring positive change.

Pyari’s cubs are doing well - the four youngsters are about six months old!  Pyari is the tigress living in the central Chakradhara meadow and this is her sixth litter - equalling the number of litters of her mother, the famous Sita. As I get further news of the cubs it will be posted here.

Two of the cubs from Pyar’s previous litter are still resident in Bandhavgarh, P12 is raising three cubs in the Panpatha area - they are about 5 months old. And P10 has become the area’s third territorial male - he will certainly give Shaki and Sundar something to think about

Territorial male, Shaki, was seen with Chameli  this morning. She has two cubs, fathered by him, about six months old.

Twelve years old this month, Sundar is still a dominant character in Bandhavgarh though his range is shrinking. He now shares the central Tala range with Shaki & P10

More news very soon.

Books and prints

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