My Sunderbans trip from 12 Dec to 17 Dec had presence of Tiger all around but no where to be seen. I reached Sajnekhali on 12 Dec evening and was informed that a Tiger had jumped over the fence and may stray to neighboring Pakhindanda and hence Forest Department people are out chasing the Tiger back. 13 Dec brought reports that a pair of Tigers have been found at Dobanki frolicking. 14 Dec, I participated in yet another operation early morning chasing yet another stray Tiger back into the fence. 15 Dec, Lots of alarm calls at sweet water pond at Saudhanyakhali and lots of excitement but still it did not feel the necessity to come out of the forests to the pond. Well 16 Dec was different.
Center Stage15 December, 11.30am. The atmosphere was tense, alarm calls constantly coming for twenty minutes and we were at Saudhanyakheli watch tower. But of no luck. We sat there till 4pm and no signs of Royal Bengal Tiger. Meanwhile the sweet water pond had all sort of activities by resident as well by visitors from far. We decided to call off for the day since it appeared that the Tiger has decided to take a long walk and has moved away from the area. Did he, No we were wrong. 15 December night, tiger was spotted near the fence and kept calling till late in the night at Saudhanyakheli.
And there was time for everything.
A wild boar came nervously to drink, sniffing decided otherwise and went away.
Jungle fowl decided to visit next and did come up very confidently and had a nice drink, moved around the area and moved away.16 December,09.30am.We once again reached Saudhanyakheli at 09.30am and were told that a tiger was spotted at one of the observation lanes at 08.00am. Once again we sat and in between we had regular rowdy human visitors . There is normally a lull from noon to 4pm and the watch tower normally remains empty. And it was at this time that firstly we noticed some restlessness amongst a herd of deers and then tiger decided to show. It came bounding out of the forest as if playing and then sat on its haunches observing tower.
Deers
Zoom shot
Wide angle perspective
And then it decided to take a walk towards the pond.
It came up to the pond but it did not drink but walked all through.
Because, now we realized that why was it so boisterous. He was looking for its mate and was marking its territory.
By this time it had reached the edge of the forest and we rushed to the river to catch it swimming across. We were not lucky enough.
So instead we had our lunch.
So instead we had our lunch.