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

The world’s smallest wild cat photographed in Bandhavgarh. The rusty-spotted cat is tiny, rare and nocturnal - so hardly ever seen. Until one photographer got lucky in Bandhavgarh - take a look at her wonderful photograph here.  http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=130872

On 28th January 2010,  Kay gave me the following tiger update.

Almost 13 years-old, Sundar is still going strong. Though he now tolerates two other males, Shaki & Shashi(P10), in areas of his range, it is incredible to remember that Sundar has held this prime territory for ten years! Fit and healthy, we hope he will reign as long as his grandfather, Charger, who lived until he was 15.

Sundar’s main challenger is his five year-old son Shashi; meaning ‘moon’ in Hindi he is so named because of the huge distances he travels overnight. Already starting to exert his presence in the central meadow, Shashi has already fought with his mother, Pyari, who is shifting her territory to avoid conflict with him. The oldest tigress in the forest, Pyari now lives mostly on the fort hill raising her three 15 month-old cubs from her fifth litter (Sundar is their father). Through her amazing life she has given birth to an incredible 17 cubs.

Of the younger tigresses, Lakshmi has two cubs, fathered by Shashi, that she keeps well hidden - they were last seen in December. Indrani’s three cubs, fathered by Shaki, are now 9 months old. Tulsi also has three slightly younger cubs, a male & two females. It is thought that Durga had cubs a few months ago, though it is too early for confirmation. Her 2 1/2 year-old daughter D4 has carved out a tiny territory alongside her mother - how this develops, we shall have to wait and see. D4’s two other siblings are still in the jungle, as are various young adult tigers from the resident tigresses previous litters.

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

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.