Page 10 - ranthambore

Tigers are territorial animals that prefer to mark their territories and then guard them very

fiercely. Usually the criterion for choosing a particular area is the high density of prey ani-

mals. The method of marking their boundaries may include using urine, secretions from anal

glands or imprinting scratch marks on tree barks, bushes and rocks making up the boundary

of the possessed area. Preferring a solitary existence the tiger can even give its life to retain

the mastership of its area, which may extend up to 100 sq km.

Sigting tigers in the park is purely luck. You need to be patient and let the guide do the work

of locating them based on paw prints and threat calls. On our first day of the safari our vehicle

was alloted Sector 2. As we commenced the safari our guide briefed us and told us that this

sector has a tigress with two cubs and we may be able to spot them. As we continued we saw

dancing peacocks, langurs,spotted deers, sambhars and the wild boar. Birds were flying all

around but the tiger remained elusive, but then suddenly there was excitement in the air. Our

guide had recieved information that a tigress name Noor had beed spotted cooling off in a wa-

ter hole. So there was a dash for it and when we reached the spot, to our dismay the vantage

points had already been occupied by vehicles which had reached here earlier. Some how our

driver managed to squeeze in and we had first view of the tigress. She was playing hide and

seek with the awe struck spectators.

Noor, the tigress kept staring at us but refused to show her face. After testing our patience

she obliged and then snarled at us. It was a scary experience. Feeling disturbed soon she got

out of the water and walked away.