RanthamboreLast bastion of the Royal Bengal Tigers

Photo Journal by Zuzar Tinwalla

Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Co

urage.Ordinary Men with

Extraordinary Courage.

Some of the men responsible for protecting the Tigers. Despite limited resources they cover 1394.47sq.km.

of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, home to a variety of mammals, reptiles and birds. It’s a herculean task

for each one of them, yet they have smiles on their faces and pride in their strides.

Tigers of Ranthambore, A Success Story.

Ranthambore is a rare success story in our country’s attempts to save its national symbol from extinction. In February, 2010, a government – backed report found that there were about 1,400 tigers left in India. This drop in the number of tigers by more than 60% in the preceding fi ve years is the consequence of poaching and human encroachment into the tigers’ habitats. Con-servationists are studying Ranthambore’s success closely, hoping to replicate it elsewhere. The lessons learned here are vital not because they reveal some secret key to saving the big cat but because they reinforce the idea that preservation (whether it be of the tiger or of any other living being) is the art of getting the basics right, over and over and over again.

Driven by the demand for pelts, the price for a single tiger skin in India, which was worth about $1,200 in 2003 (a sixth of its price today), is still more than the average annual income of the poachers who laid siege to the park. Meanwhile, the proxim-ity of the villages, whose residents collected fi rewood and grazed cattle in the reserve, drove away the cats’ natural prey and cramped their love life (tigers seem to mate successfully only when they feel secure and unobserved). From 2003 to the spring of 2006, Ranthambore’s tiger population fell astonishingly from 40 to 26.

To reverse the trend, local offi cials persuaded the villagers to stay away from the tiger’s turf in exchange for fresh water and cooking gas. Patrols were stepped up using better equipment, penalties for breaking the rules were increased and about 60 trap cameras were placed around the park. At the same time, forest offi cials won over the Mogiya community, a nomadic hunt-ing tribe that had turned to poaching. In return, the Mogiya agreed to help the authorities to crack open poaching rings.

Zuzar Tinwalla, a wildlife enthusiast, photographer and sustainability champion has travelled widely across India to photo-graph the Royal Bengal Tigers and is a frequent visitor to Ranthambore. This is his fi rst endeavour to publish his photographs from Ranthambore and also to showcase the rich wildlife of this celebrated national park

Their love for water is quite unlike other mem-

bers of the cat family and on an average they

spend 2 to 3 hours a day in water.

Going for a dip.

An interesting relationship has been observed between herds of Chital

(spotted deer) and troops of Grey Langur of the park. Chital apparently benefi t

from the Langurs’ good eyesight and ability to post a lookout from the treetops,

helping to raise the alarm when a tiger approaches.

The Grey Langurs.Smart & quick learners

The Langur community ofRanthambore.

A relaxing napon a hot summer

afternoon.

Nothing escapes their watchful eyes.

Catching Fancy.

They usually approach from the side or rear of the prey

and slink forward, holding their body low to the ground.

Ready to pounce.

The art of grooming.

Langurs are our closest allies in the animal kingdom.

Peahen with chicks.

Peacock, our National Bird.

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Ranthambore is also home toPeacocks, where they thrive in

housands. They add a wonderfulthvariety of colour to the forest. The echo of their calls during

the mornings and evenings is addelightful experience for park visitorss...

Claw sharpening on tree barks is a routine for Tigers, especially after a big kill.

Sharpening the tools.

Unlike Lions, Tigers prefer to be alone and

prefer to spend their time napping and

relaxing after a satisfying meal.

A relaxed mood.

Sambhar Deer; Favorite kill for Tigers.

Indian Gazelle, also known as Chinkara.

Claw sharpening on tree barks is a routine for big cats, especially after a big kill

Sharpening the tools!When intimidated, they can be extremely

dangerous and will do anything to protect

their privacy.

Don’t dare to mess with me.

Marking their territory and fi nding the kill keeps the Tigers busy.

On the prowl.

Feeding timeat Ranthambore.

Sambhar Deer.The Damp woodland of Ranthambore are a perfect home for them.

Swamps of Ranthambore,home to the Indian Crocodile and Alligator.

Though they are expert hunters, still chasing an antelope often results in failure.

Running to Survive.

An irritated snarl with a low growl is a

warning to the opposition to back off.

Vicious Snarl.

The Great Indian Vulture and Wild Jackal.

They form the scavenger community and are an important link in the

park’s ecosystem.

At Ranthambore, even if you fail to sight a Tiger, the rich fauna of the Park will

keep you enchanted.

Tigers spend hours together in water in a leisurely style.

Time to cool off.

Their success in the wild largely depends

on being focussed on their prey.

Curious look.

If you are lucky, an Asiatic Bear may come your way but you’d better stay at a safe distance. You may even have a rare audience with a Monitor Lizard.

Some of the wonderful Birds of Ranthambore.

When they are not in a hurry for a kill, they

demonstrate the art of ignoring intrusions.

Total Relaxation.

Sharp vision and fi ne olfactory ability

makes them excellent hunters !

Majestic Cat.

Close cousins of the Tiger, they are also thriving

at this National Park.

The Leopardsof Ranthambore.

You are too close for my comfort.You are too close for my comfBack Off.Back Off.

When one views these animals in the wild, one cannot help but be in awe of

their beauty and strength. Tigers are presently an endangered species and on

the brink of extinction, primarily because of the shrinking areas in which they can

roam, hunt and reproduce as a consequence of the expanding human popula-

tions and also because poachers continue to prey on the cats for their skins and

other body parts. We don’t have to stand by and allow our national animal to

become extinct. Please consider their future, and think about what you can do

to help preserve and protect these endangered animals.

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