Will the tiger become extinct in our lifetime?
Watching the latest episode of the series ‘Tigers About The House’ last night, it wasn’t hard to understand why such an emotional bond formed between tiger-mad zookeeper Giles and his two tiger cubs, Spot & Stripe.
Due to illegal poaching, there are currently only around 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. There is a distinct possibility that these truly magnificent cats will go extinct as early as 2025!
All captive-bred Sumatran tigers are descended from the same 14 parents and there is a limit to how often those offspring can be interbred without health implications.
There are many arguments and counter-arguments about these breeding programs and about keeping big cats like tigers in zoos, yet without the incredibly selfless work being done and achieved by fully committed conservationists like Giles Clark, the likelihood of total extinction within a very short time due to man’s incessant greed and stupidity are a clear certainty.
In the famous ‘Jungle Book’, Rudyard Kipling acknowledged the undisputed status of the mighty Bengal tiger by introducing Shere Khan as the King of Beasts.
Although the cat family includes many impressive and attractive animals, the tiger has an aura of power and majesty. Watching a male tiger patrolling his territory on an Indian reservation is like watching an undisputed ruler strolling through his domain.
Unfortunately for the tiger, being the top predator was no protection against human activities, and as in Sumatra, the tiger in India has suffered a combination of habitat destruction and hunting pressures that have reduced the Indian population from approximately 40,000 to less. from 1500 before the conservation initiative known as “Project Tiger” sought to halt this rapid decline by establishing numerous tiger reserves across India, with Bandhavgarh being one of the best places in India to see the mighty Bengal tiger. , one of the most impressive , beautiful and imposing creatures on earth.
Bandhavgarh is famous for having a high percentage of tiger sightings, despite the relatively small area of the reserve. Packed with fascinating reptiles and wonderful birds, including bee-eaters, egrets, kites and storks, the reserve has much to offer wildlife enthusiasts.
Historically speaking, Bandhavgarh is extremely important. Home to a large and elegant fort that sits atop one of the hills in the center of the reserve, Bandhavgarh is the site of many legends. The fort is believed to be over two thousand years old and was a gift from Lord Rama to his brother, Lord Lakshmana. The fort is a great place to watch the afternoon sun sink into the sky over the park’s lake and the views from the top are stunning.
A wide variety of flora and fauna inhabit these wildlife reserves in India, and visitors have plenty to keep them occupied, even when the tiger proves a bit elusive. Wild dog, sambar deer, spotted deer, wolf and sloth bear offer frequent sightings and if you are very lucky you may even spot a leopard lurking in the dense cover of the forest. For the best chance of spotting a tiger, travel into the jungle on two game drives every day and make the most of every minute spent in this incredible wildlife refuge.
It’s hard to believe that game reserves were originally established to protect animals from rogue poachers, reserving them only for official poaching by the influential Maharajas of the time. In the Raj’s time, hundreds of tigers were shot and the more tiger trophies a Maharaja received, the higher the esteem in which he was held.
Hunting is now a thing of the past and the reserves are positively protecting the environment of all the animals that make up the ecosystem within them.
If it has long been a dream to see a tiger, travel to one of India’s game reserves for the best chance. Reservations offer an unforgettable experience that includes exciting game views, wonderful scenery, and fantastic hospitality.
Bandhavgarh Park, covering one hundred and five square kilometres, is just one of many reserves dedicated to tiger protection. Whichever you choose, your Indian wildlife adventure will be unforgettable.
