The King of Dhikala Grassland, CTR

[Debasis Bose]

This visit to corbett (20Dec-3 Jan) was quite fruitful, encountered with 9 different tigers including 3 cubs, one mating pair, mother tigress killing chital in grassland and then taking the kill to her cubs - a total of 20 tiger sightings, one leopard, young tusker, elephant forming a fortress to protect their few months old baby, then mother violently thumping her right foreleg to ground, and the final act of charging, jackals, yellow throated marten, mongoose, pangolin, cobra snake, mugger crocodile, alligator, mahaseer fish, goonch fish (atleast 30-40kg), turtle, hog deer, barking deer, sambhar, chital and innumerable species of birdlife - to be exact 57 species and still counting the photographs.

This particular male in the picture is about 4 years old, have already sired 3 cubs of about 11-14 months old through her sister and apparently is mating her another sister. They are cubs of Badi madi - one of my first photograph posted in Indiawilds. They are now ruling the grassland of dhikala. Father of the pictured male was apparently poached in 2012 and the area surrounding two side of the dhikala grass land has two very dominating male at each side side and the kalagarh dam lake on the other two side. Most probably that may have restricted the present male from migrating away from his birth place (in short 3 causes, poaching of male who fathered the cubs, two dominating male gauding teritory and two sides blocked by large water body). This proves how the lack of viability of the forest corridors connecting tiger habitats has a direct affect on a tigers' chance of finding an unrelated mate and on the ability of tiger populations to maintain genetic diversity. Most of us may be aware of, genetic diversity allows species to survive disease and habitat stress and encourages long-term survival.

I visit Corbett twice a year and have records of the three tigers (one male and two female), who have formed pairs and one has already given birth to 3 cubs and hope soon we will see the other will also give birth. Is that good for the Indian Bengal Tigers - In my opinion the lack of genetic diversity will accelerate the process of extinction of these majestic tigers from the Indian forests, unless some drastic steps are taken concurently with antipoaching schemes.

Nikon D700, Nikor 300mm f2.8, shot at 1627 hrs, exposure 1/250, ISO 200.

Wish all the members of Indiawilds and their loved ones Fabulous and Healthy New Year 2014.

[Shyamala Kumar]

The importance of genetic diversity cannot be over emphasized.That is why it is very important to create corridors between different reserves to ensure movement of tigers and create a more diverse genetic pool.This is possible in many of our states were presently there is a lot of forest fragmentation because of population pressures and road building activities.All this is possible only if there is a central, concerted policy working towards a common goal.Looking forward to more images from Corbett.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Thrilling encounters, nicely written, as always. Nice you could see goonch, I am yet to see this famous fish, now rare, in the wild. Alligator may be replaced by Gharial, just an oversight. It happens when we are overwhelmed with joy and wish to share it with others fast and that enhances our joy by two times.
Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

[Debasis Bose]

Dear Saktida, thanks for the correction and your second last sentence is so right

[Rajan Kanagasabai]

Happy new year to you and the family Debasis.

What a way to start a new year with this majestic male. Lovely pose with a striking head turn.

The catch light really lights up the coat. The image is a bit soft for either the focus is locked ahead or due to the low SS. Loved the composition and the direct stare.

thanks for sharing

Rajan

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Nice.Good write up Debasis. Couldn't agree with you more on the importance of creating and maintaining corridors between the larger PA's. Most big cat researchers agree that it is the most important strategy for the long term survival of these cats. But this is a much bigger challenge than maintaining the current PA's notified as such. when we are not able protect even the existing PA's from the mining mafia, who seem all set to get fresh rights and clearances ( the new MOEF only seems to be waiting for the proposals to reach his desk), it is very difficult to try and drive them off these lands which have no legal protection and some of which in central and south india are hot beds for mining. Also this will directly impact vote banks in areas with high density of population like Kerala and Goa and in areas which include or border agricultural lands and politics is sure to kick in as we saw with the Gadgil / Kasturirangan report implementation recently. With the current state of affairs in our country creating new viable wildlife corridors is almost impossible, protecting the existing corridors is in itself a huge challenge.

TFS
Roopak

[Abhirup Dutta Gupta]

Wonderful shot....

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I agree that unless our forests are interconnected again through the wildlife corridors, it would be presiding over the gradual decline and local extinction of many species.

Lovely sighting. Makes me salivate. The tiger seems to be a huge fellow. The 300 f2.8 is a bit heavier than your previous lens, so it would take some time to get used to it. You should use a bean bag or monopod in the safari. Also, the vehicle may be running so that leads to some vibrations. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Murugan Anantharaman]

What a handsome fellow. Big and strong, I can almost remember the lines 'Dhai kilo ka haath' from a Sunny Deol movie . Just that its far far more dhai kilo'er . Thanks for sharing.