The virgin forest in the early morning is like a story book. The night's happenings leave their imprint on every corner. As the first jeep to enter the park that morning, we could easily spot the marks that told the story of the whole night. The pugmarks were clear and unspoilt. The tiger had been on the prowl...
We came across the pugmarks of a female tiger within ten minutes from the entrance of the park. The marks led all the way along the forest roads for 15 kms. The tigress had walked along the path, avoiding the wet bushes. The pugmarks could be seen on the damp ground, disappearing on the dry roads only to appear a few feet away as the tigress stopped, scratched the ground, turned around and walked ahead.
The excitement was unpalpable, as chances of spotting the tigress got better and better and we seemed to get closer to her by the minute. Then, the guide declared that the tigress had moved toward the open grasslands. This meant that she would be easier to spot. However, it also meant that she might be spotted by the elephant riders, before we could reach her. And if that happened, they would inform the park rangers, who would cordone off all roads leading to the grasslands, and try to setup a "tiger show".
The tiger show is a daily morning event arranged by the Park, where they send park rangers on elephant-back to try and spot a tiger. Once a tiger is spotted, they try to corner it and make it settle down. Tickets are sold and people are taken for rides on elephants to get a glimpse of the tiger. Height of tiger tourism, I did not like it a bit.
Just as expected, soon enough we came across an elephant on the same path ahead of us. The elephants had probably disturbed the tigress, for she had disappeared into the bushes. There was not a sign of her anymore, that day. Oh we had been so near to a great sighting.... but it was not to be....
The elusive tiger had once again managed to elude us.
The excitement was unpalpable, as chances of spotting the tigress got better and better and we seemed to get closer to her by the minute. Then, the guide declared that the tigress had moved toward the open grasslands. This meant that she would be easier to spot. However, it also meant that she might be spotted by the elephant riders, before we could reach her. And if that happened, they would inform the park rangers, who would cordone off all roads leading to the grasslands, and try to setup a "tiger show".
The tiger show is a daily morning event arranged by the Park, where they send park rangers on elephant-back to try and spot a tiger. Once a tiger is spotted, they try to corner it and make it settle down. Tickets are sold and people are taken for rides on elephants to get a glimpse of the tiger. Height of tiger tourism, I did not like it a bit.
Just as expected, soon enough we came across an elephant on the same path ahead of us. The elephants had probably disturbed the tigress, for she had disappeared into the bushes. There was not a sign of her anymore, that day. Oh we had been so near to a great sighting.... but it was not to be....
The elusive tiger had once again managed to elude us.
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