VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY

ANATOMY OF a tiger AMBUSH

High Stakes Stalking by an Apex Predator

Pulse pounding "gallery view" to high stakes tiger ambush of spotted deer (Chital) in Magadhi Zone of Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Habitat
Spotted Deer (Chital) Stalked by Tigress Trishooli
The Prey
Trishooli on the Hunt - Magadhi - Bandhavgarh
Camouflage
Tiger Paw Prints on Mud
Silence
Jungle Internet

Tiger

The tiger is an apex predator. It is blessed with an array of astonishing weapons and tools in its hunting arsenal (see detailed deconstruction below). It is a solitary hunter and a superb swimmer. Females weigh 350+ pounds while males weigh 400 pounds. Tigers are now found in many reserves in India which also boasts the highest density of population on the planet. The Tiger Conservation Project started in the 1970s is now paying dividends.

FOUND IN:

Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh India, Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, India, Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh India, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh India, Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh India,

  • The tiger is an apex predator. 
  • It is blessed with an array of astonishing weapons and tools in its hunting arsenal (see detailed deconstruction below).
  • It is a solitary hunter and a superb swimmer.
  • Females weigh 350+ pounds while males weigh 400 pounds.
  • Tigers are now found in many reserves in India which also boasts the highest density of population on the planet.
  • The Tiger Conservation Project started in the 1970s is now paying dividends.
Tigress Dotty - Tala - Bandhavgarh
WATCH VIDEOS

Trishuli Ambush Teaser

Lakshmi Soundararajan

Wildlife, Nature Enthusiast

Lakshmi Narasimhan Soundararajan

BANDHAVGARH

bandhavgarh tiger reserve map
Trishooli on the Hunt - Magadhi - Bandhavgarh
Spotted Deer (Chital) Stalked by Tigress Trishooli
Magadhi Zone - Tall, Golden Yellow Grass

HABITAT - MAGADHI CORE ZONE

Magadhi Zone - Tall, Golden Yellow Grass
Trishooli on the Hunt - Magadhi - Bandhavgarh
Sambar Deer - Female

Magadhi - Zone 2 is one of 3 Core Zones of Bandhavgarh National Park

Magadhi Zone in Bandhavgarh is characterized by tall, swaying golden grass and meadows. It is the perfect camouflage for its dense tiger population. Watch video below.

In the images to the left starting from top:

  • TOP LEFT: Tigress Trishooli stalking the Spotted Deer 
  • MIDDLE: Lush Sal Forests, Golden Yellow Grass, Meadows of Magadhi Zone
  • BOTTOM RIGHT: Sambar Deer - The Sentinel of the Jungle
Learn More on Tigers of Bandavgarh

THE PREY - SPOTTED DEER (CHITAL)

Spotted Deer (Chital) Stalked by Tigress Trishooli
Trishooli on the Hunt - Magadhi - Bandhavgarh
Sambar Deer - Female

Spotted Deer (Indian Name: Chital) of Bandhavgarh National Park

The Spotted Deer or Chital is one of the preferred preys for the tigers  in Bandhavgarh National Park. It is found in great abundance throughout the park. Watch video below.

In the images to the left starting from top:

  • TOP LEFT: Tigress Trishooli stalking the Spotted Deer 
  • MIDDLE: Spotted Deer (Chital) a preferred prey of the tigers
  • BOTTOM RIGHT: Sambar Deer - The Sentinel of the Jungle
Learn More on Tigers of Bandavgarh

CAMOUFLAGE - THE INVISIBLE HUNTER

Tigress Trishuli Camouflaged in the Tall Grass of Magadhi in Bandhavgarh
Scene Set for a Tigress Ambush Bandhavgarh 4K Alt small
Tigress Trishuli Left Paw

A Tiger doesn't just hide in the grass. It Becomes the Grass!

The vertical black stripes break up her muscular outline, mimicking the shadows between the tall stalks of the Magadhi grass. Watch video below.

In the images to the left starting from top:

  • TOP LEFT: Tigress Trishuli melting into the golden grass of Magadhi Zone
  • MIDDLE: Tigress Trishuli invisible in the tall grass while stalking the spotted deer
  • BOTTOM RIGHT: Tigress Trishuli's huge left hind paw
Spot the Camouflaged Tiger

SILENCE - THE ACOUSTIC FIREWALL

Tigress Trishooli Bandhavgarh National Park
Tigress Trishooli Left Paw
Magadhi Zone - Tall, Golden Yellow Grass

400 Pounds of Muscle Moving with the Sound of a Falling Leaf!

The tiger has a unique way of placing her hind paw exactly where her front paw was, cutting the chance of stepping on a dry leaf in half. Watch video below.

In the images to the left starting from top:

  • TOP LEFT: Tigress Trishooli's padded left hind paw 
  • MIDDLE: Tigress Trishooli striding soundlessly through the tall Magadhi grass
  • BOTTOM RIGHT: Tall Grass with shadows enhancing the silent stalking
Spot the Tiger's Silencer Heel Pads

JUNGLE INTERNET - THE SENTINEL'S WHISTLE

Spotted Deer (Chital) Stalked by Tigress Trishooli
Trishooli on the Hunt - Magadhi - Bandhavgarh
Sambar Deer - Female

Jungle's own Internet! A communication device so amazing, it is the tiger's greatest enemy.

The Jungle Internet is a Multi-Specie Alarm Network principally warning calls of the Sambar Deer, the Langur Monkey and the Spotted Deer (Chital) . Watch video below.

In the images to the left starting from top:

  • TOP LEFT: Tigress Trishooli stalking the Spotted Deer 
  • MIDDLE: Spotted Deer (Chital) a preferred prey of the tigers
  • BOTTOM RIGHT: Sambar Deer - The Sentinel of the Jungle
Spot the Jungle Internet Warning Calls

Heart Pumping Sighting

"

After two and half hours of painstaking tracking which covered paw prints on the mud track, warning calls from the Jungle Internet and study of tiger behavior,  our experienced guide made that long anticipated cry "Tiger."  Then we had the first glimpse of the gorgeous tigress Trishooli striding through the golden stalks of grass in the Magadhi Zone of Bandhavgarh National Park. And then we witnessed a stunning process of stalking by the tigress of its spotted deer prey. A once in a lifetime experience!

Lakshmi Narasimhan Soundararajan
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