India – Expedition Tiger: Zone 4

Many cars stand still and wait. Not us. We go a bit and look, the kitten is right in front of us, walking down the road. We go back and another kitten walks between the boulders. I still wonder where her mom is, Krishna - Unis T19. She is about 7 years old and currently has three kittens, two boys and one girl. On the edge of zone 4, we saw a dead sambara today, it is likely that some tiger "put it down" and that he will return to it, we will definitely check the place. We also watched Indian gazelles but back to the tigers.

Suddenly we hear something like a call. We follow the voice and in a moment we see kittens heading towards the water. Almost impossible becomes a reality. Their mom is just bathing in the water, as soon as she hears the call of the cubs, she immediately climbs out of the water and goes opposite them. The separation was long, because the joy of meeting is huge. Mum wasn't even able to shake and cuddles with her kids. A natural theater that desires to experience every animal lover! After a while it's time to go back to the water. I forgot to write that there are only two youths so far.

The skill of our driver is incredible. Although we travel to the lake between the last, we are among the first. When the tigers have enough fun in the water bath, the whole group shifts to land and heads up the hills. Of course, we monitor and document their movement. Basically, we're already thinking of saving the technique and going back. But it's still not the third cub! Suddenly the familiar sound, again the call. The third cub comes. Slowly and deliberately approaching the water surface, where the mother and two other offspring go. The end of the day is unbelievable, we can observe and photograph the complete family as they enjoy the water bath.

We have the best experience ever, but others are waiting for us. We'll talk about it next time.

GPS: 26°01'04.4"N 76°30'11.4"E

Text and photos: Magdaléna Radostová