Tigers at BR hills
I got a call this evening from the folks at BR hills (The place where I worked as a naturalist for big part of last year). In the evening safari, four young tigers were spotted together playing in the rain. They could not spot the mother it seems, but these four tigers were about 2 feet in height and were surely more then a year old.
A tiger’s litter is usually 2 – 4 cubs and half of them die before they complete the 1st year. It’s very rare 4 cubs can survive together till they are more then a year old. The fact that this had happened in BR Hills, goes on to prove that it is one of the best wildlife habitats in India. The forests are well guarded on all the sides with hills, hardly any poaching happens by the tribals and the forest department has some excellent forest guards who take care of the forests like their baby.
I was almost in tears when I heard this news. I miss the place badly and BR hills will always be very close to my heart
I totally hear you. I was there for what, only 3 days? And even *I* feel really happy to hear this! I will definitely spend a few days at BR Hills the next time I’m in India.
Are Narayana, and the other two host/manager guys still around? I already forgot their names ;/
i’m absolutely in love with tigers!! i was visited banarghetta when i was really young and we were in this grilled van…. there was a tiger blocking our path drinking water peacefully… loveliest sight… everyone in the van just sat still watching in wonder… beautiful!!
Narayana is still very much there. Thought there is a new naturalist there right now. Arun has moved to Kabini to another private resort. But yeah, most of the staff is still the same there 🙂
You aint seen nothing yet. The tigers at Baneerghatta are the worst. They are caged and they have totally lost their natural instincts. You *have* to see a tiger in the wild. There is nothing like it
I do, too…
Yes….I have been to BR Hills only once and yet the place cast its spell on us….I agree 100% that it is indeed wonderful to see the poorly-paid staff being so devoted to their jobs.
I just hope the mother was away, and alive…
I too will always associate you with BR Hills, I think, on that first visit we knew you as a naturalist and not as a photographer though! We too were lucky to go there when you were there.
BTW…do go to Dandeli JLR once, the naturalist there, Shashi Dhar, is also excellent at his work. We were lucky to go in the “off” season, so we were the only ones in the resort; and since the Jeep could not go very far into the forest because of the pouring rain, we trekked a lot, and saw, and learnt, a lot from him.
missed d beast
…by 5 mins @ bandipur!! damn…d new age jeeps!! :ppp
congrats to nature! seriously. i am so happy to hear this.. all when one hears about the tigers being in danger. and only today i saw NG about the thai monk who raises tigers!
yay again.
I swear. I’m glad there are still some wild places left in our country. So how is married life treating you ? 🙂
Re: missed d beast
heh, I had to wait for more than a year and zillions of trips to the forest, before I saw my 1st tiger. Anyway there is always a next time.
Re: I do, too…
I will always be a naturalist first and photographer second 🙂
I did meet Shashi at Dandeli. Very nice chap and was very excited to help me out. But I could hardly spend any time there, so could not actually go out with him. But will go there very soon again.
hardly any poaching happens by the tribals and the forest department has some excellent forest guards who take care of the forests like their baby.
Its really heart-warming to know that there are such good and well protected forests here.
Yeah, I was there for a couple of days and I can feel the excitement when I hear the news of 4 cubs playing together, I can only imagine what *you* must be feeling knowing that it was like a second home to you
i am single for the moment! till i join husband down under…
running around trying to change my name in passport, visa application, jewellery shopping, learning cooking and all.. basically, getting screwed and missing work! 😀
I’ve been to bandiur once. It was not a normal safari in a van. With the help of one of the conservators there, we went into the jungle walking 10-15 kms. That was the the first experience in the wild standing between three elephent herds and wondering what if they attack. tried hard to get a glimpse of a tiger, all we could get is pug marks ;).
Been following your journal and the site from a long time, it’s just wonderful. Great work, the fact of amazment is that you achieved all this in a short span of time.
Thanks dude. Trekking sure is an amazing way to experience the jungle. I have some very close encounters with leopards on foot. But never a tiger 🙂
great news to hear! I like tigers, majestic animals. From my some knowledge about tigers, during these troubled times, finding more than 3 cubs together is quite a spectacular sight!
Ok, next stop BR hills!
BTW did anyone happen to get a shot?
hey kalyan
hey kalyan,
i have been to B.R hills couple of times and i have been to almost all the wildlife sanctuaries in karnataka,but tell u vat B.R hills has now become my passion,its simply the BEST.
and hey even i aspire to be a naturalist.i am passionate about flora & fauna.
regarding the tigers , 5 yrs back i had sighted 3 tigers in nagarhole with Mr.CHINNAPPA(then conservator of forest) and man its the sight of a life time,vat more we sighted them on foot.
could u help me plzzzzzzzz?
if u could e-mail me navin_raj10@indiatimes.com
hi
seeking guidelines to be a naturalist from u.
if u could help me plz??
navin_raj10@indiatimes.com
Tiger Census BR hlls
yaah….! i have participated in the recent tiger census in BR hills , but we were not lucky enough to spot even 1 tiger after roaming deep inside the valleys…its purely luck and timing…but i had a chance to spot 1 tiger in bandipur…. i am regular vistor to BR hills, bandipur & nagarhole…..i miss those places a lot…..
Mallik Arjun,
mallik_u@yahoo.co.in
Reading UK
Hi Kalyan, I am very interested in the going for the tiger sensus, I have also visited B R Hills twice, could you please let me know how to join the team