Kabini Tigress
Tigress Phobia Vanishes at last :
This Tigress was first spotted inside our Resort property in CICADA RESORTS-KABINI, by Mr. Sarat C.R., Chief Naturalist – Taj CC Africa and Mr. Lokesh, Naturalist on last week of December'2008. It was sitting quietly under a bush just outside the Nilgiri Plantation. The next few weeks were the most exiting, thrilling and of course fear ruled through the hearts of the Locales as more and more Pugmarks were sighted near the Villa where a small stream probably attracted it almost every two to three days. Many of our staffs started spotting it either resting far on the bushes or crossing our entry road in late evenings. Our Naturalist Mr. Guru also managed to click a photo of it during mid January'09 while it was sitting under a bush just beside our usual nature walk route in mid-afternoon. The very next day around 10am one of our staffs spotted it having a Wild Boar very near to same spot where it was seen the day before and in panic both started running in opposite directions.
The Forest Department comes into action and placed two cages with bates inside to catch the Tigress. One cage was placed near the same spot where it was found with the Kill and the other one was placed about 300mtrs near the backwaters of Kabini river. Two Forest officials were appointed for keeping a track on its movement and used to report on the same everyday.
Just 10 days later, around 7:30 pm the cage gates closed suddenly signaling that something has been trapped inside. Hearing the sound of the closing gates some of our staffs went near the cage and saw some bright eyes from about 50mtrs away inside the cage when they focussed their torches at the same.
The Ranger & the ACF rushed to spot on information within 10 mins. and to their astonishment it was found to be a Leopard and not the Tigress. They were amazed at fact that both the Tigress and the Leopard were sharing the same small territory.
The next 3 months became more surprising when the cages were left without any interest by the Tigress and cattle went on missing frequently. Around second week of February'09, two people spotted the Tigress pulling a cow from near the backwaters to about 200mtrs crossing over our barbed wire fence.
In March'09, a very clear spotting of the Tigress was done by our F&B Manager, Mr. Varun who happens to be a Wildlifer and Ex-Naturalist also, while on his evening round along the property at about 6:30pm when it was lying on the slushy water behind the Villa. Both saw each other and the Tigress moved upstream and crossed over into the bushes.
In Apr'09, two remarkable incidents took place. First, a dead cow was sighted behind the resort in morning and some of staffs went a waited on a tree top till mid-night hoping to see the Tigress come for its kill but in vain. The next morning they found the cow half eaten. Next was when the villagers became a bit outraged and forced the property owners to start weed clearence. Two elephants were also brought to catch and traquilise the Tigress, and it escaped in front of them.
After all these and more exiting incidents the Tigress was finally tranquilised and is being taken to Bhadra Tiger Reserve for rehabilitation today. Our Senior Naturalist, Mr. Jaya Prakash is accompanying the Wildlife Team.
The Forest Department comes into action and placed two cages with bates inside to catch the Tigress. One cage was placed near the same spot where it was found with the Kill and the other one was placed about 300mtrs near the backwaters of Kabini river. Two Forest officials were appointed for keeping a track on its movement and used to report on the same everyday.
Just 10 days later, around 7:30 pm the cage gates closed suddenly signaling that something has been trapped inside. Hearing the sound of the closing gates some of our staffs went near the cage and saw some bright eyes from about 50mtrs away inside the cage when they focussed their torches at the same.
The Ranger & the ACF rushed to spot on information within 10 mins. and to their astonishment it was found to be a Leopard and not the Tigress. They were amazed at fact that both the Tigress and the Leopard were sharing the same small territory.
The next 3 months became more surprising when the cages were left without any interest by the Tigress and cattle went on missing frequently. Around second week of February'09, two people spotted the Tigress pulling a cow from near the backwaters to about 200mtrs crossing over our barbed wire fence.
In March'09, a very clear spotting of the Tigress was done by our F&B Manager, Mr. Varun who happens to be a Wildlifer and Ex-Naturalist also, while on his evening round along the property at about 6:30pm when it was lying on the slushy water behind the Villa. Both saw each other and the Tigress moved upstream and crossed over into the bushes.
In Apr'09, two remarkable incidents took place. First, a dead cow was sighted behind the resort in morning and some of staffs went a waited on a tree top till mid-night hoping to see the Tigress come for its kill but in vain. The next morning they found the cow half eaten. Next was when the villagers became a bit outraged and forced the property owners to start weed clearence. Two elephants were also brought to catch and traquilise the Tigress, and it escaped in front of them.
After all these and more exiting incidents the Tigress was finally tranquilised and is being taken to Bhadra Tiger Reserve for rehabilitation today. Our Senior Naturalist, Mr. Jaya Prakash is accompanying the Wildlife Team.
Some Paper Cuttings are given below : -
Comments