Baniyan Tree Courting Tigers!

Our Guests had to catch an early flight.So it was going to be a hurried morning drive.And we were looking for predators.Other Naturalists here have been having good Tiger sightings at different places in the past few days.But today there were few encouraging signs.But as were reaching the Elephant Camp we saw two elephants following something briskly.It was a Tigeress walking away from the open of the river-bed to the shelter of undergrowth.It was brief and Guests were keen on carrying on rather than waiting for Elephant to track the Tiger it was following.So we decided to check an area where occasionally a Tiger was encountered but Sloth Bears hung around more.It also had beautiful scenery,rounding off with rocky Leopard area.No Lady Luck shining we were returning back we got a message that two Tigers were under a Baniyan tree.The scenario seemed all too familiar where by the time we reach the spot we have been taken for a ride.But the setting looked encouraging,so we drove up.And there they were under a sprawling old Baniyan tree with a fresh flush of leaves.A Tigeress and a huge Male cooling off close to each other as natural as the leave litter around.Every 5-10 mins they got up and shifted places.But interestingly both sat down facing eachother not loosing eye-contact.Once the Tigeress even changed positions to face the male.They seemed relaxed with eachother so definitely not first timers.Both seemed 5-6 years old with muscular shoulders and well-fed.As other vehicles started coming the Male quietly went almost out of sight except for its impressive head but faced the female.We having watched them for c.30 mins and having to be back in time for the flight look leave.Males in Pench are notoriously difficult to see,so to see one like that was an utter delight.Not a bad thing to do on a Sunday morning!.

Posted: Baghvan by Vrushal Pendharkar, Date: 14 June 2009

 
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