INDIA'S SMALLEST & BIGGEST WILD FELINES IN A SPAN OF 3 HOURS

Driving by a rocky terrain in the park we heard the warning calls of a squirrel. This could have been for anything - a snake, mongoose, bird of prey. We were scanning the area whilst the vehicle was moving & I spotted something unusual, almost like a dry moss on a rock. Stopping to check I couldn’t believe my eyes - a RUSTY SPOTTED CAT!

Very quickly after a few record pictures, we had a really good look at India’s smallest wild cat. It is said to be highly active at night, but what was it doing at 3 in the afternoon sitting in direct sunlight?? (I guess some things in nature are always a mystery & yet to be discovered).

We thought we’d had a fabulous afternoon in the park after sighting the rarely seen rusty spotted cat. Little did we know of the surprise that waited ahead. The light was dim & I kept looking at my watch to be on time to reach the exit gate at 5:44 pm it said (5:45pm was the exit time) & all of the sudden there was a halt of vehicles ahead of me & sudden excitement in the faces of the people. It took us completely by surprise, when we saw a Tiger walking ahead crossing the motor path ahead, almost as if to say; "You’re not leaving without seeing me."

Posted: Baghvan by Sajith Ponnappa, Date: 8 January 2012