Two tigers in the Ranthambore tiger reserve in Rajasthan were ready to pounce on a bear when they had the surprise of their lives when the bear attacked them instead and made sure that her cubs and she was safe. Wildlife photographer Aditya Singh was in the vicinity to take pictures and see this rare close encounter of two ferocious wild species of India.
Aditya Singh visits the protected sanctuary almost every day looking for moments to capture the wild tigers and other forest dwellers around him. But last week he witnessed an encounter that he had not seen before. A mother bear was drinking water from a water hole when a tiger crept towards her ready to pounce. The bear though could sense danger immediately and instead of retreating, pounced back.
Recalls Aditya Singh, “The mother bear was coming from a waterhole and heading across the plateau completely unaware of the tigers. The tigress saw them first and instantly she started stalking towards the bear. Bears and tigers are two large powerful animals which normally try to avoid each other. But the bear had her cubs with her and so she felt threatened. That’s why she charged towards the tiger.”
He believes that the bear reacted in such a way because she had her cubs with her and therefore it was her protective mother instincts that came into play when attacked by two tigers.
“I suppose the protective mother decided that attack was the best form of defence. I was there photographing tigers but I definitely didn’t expect to see a confrontation like this, particularly so close. They were only about 80 to 100 metres away and in clear sight.”
The bear first scared the tigress who had dared to come closer to her. When the other tiger advanced too the mother bear let out an almighty roar that completely bewildered both the wild cats. They thought it best to leave the angry mother and her cubs in peace and quickly scampered off.
Aditya says there were other eye-witnesses too but they were too shocked to say anything as the drama unfolded. It was only when the tigers ran away that everyone began cheering and clapping.
‘There were a few other jeeps and visitors there but there was just a stunned silence the whole time. At the end most of started clapping and some were cheering for the bear. The atmosphere was certainly charged. All I could hear was my heart beating and the camera shutter.”
The photographer will definitely cherish this moment all his life.
“It’s a rare thing to see. I don’t think more than a 100 people would have ever seen a bear and tiger face off in the wild. And I don’t think anyone has seen a bear with two cubs on her back facing off with two tigers. It’s certainly not something I’ve managed to photograph before. Even while it was happening I knew what we were seeing was a once in a lifetime affair.”
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Article and image source: Daily Mail
Bears are great mothers. They will do anything to keep their young ones safe.
You are right Prisca…but I suppose all mothers whether human or animal have the natural instinct to protect their babies…:)
Great photo! And good script too!!
thank you Sibi…keep visiting.
Great Shot! What kind of bear is that?
It is an Indian Sloth Bear Tom.
People tend to assume Tigers are the kings but some Bear can be their equal, or even better in some cases.