The grass curtain

When I left for Ranthambor on evening of 04th Nov, 14, I posted that I wish to see T-19 and T-39 and both with cubs. My wish was partially granted.

On the morning of 05th Nov, 2014, Mr. Sunil Sharma & Mr. Umesh Agarwal took me for a safari in Zone 3 of picturisque Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. As we enetered the park, we decided to take a drive around the beautiful lake to see if we could find anything interesting. As we reached near platform on the far side of the lake, we found Mrs. Veena Kak just getting settled there. Her Guide told us that Tigress T-19 was seen pulling a kill in grass and we could see her taking rest. Our driver alligned and adjusted our vehicle and we culd have a glimpse of her. But what was more enthralling was that her cubs were somewhere in the same patch of grass which was right on the bank of the lake. 

We could see many crocodiles circling the patch of grass where T19 and its cubs were hidden with the prized catch of a large Sambhar Deer, perhaps expecting to go in to grab her kill.

We waited patiently while the number of vehicles and onlookers increased. More Gypsy vehicles and Canters pulled in and some left after waiting for sometime and content with seeing partially visible T-19. But our patience paid and after more than an hour, two of her three cubs approached the edge of patch of grass and sat there calmly for few seconds observing the scene around them. Perhaps they wanted to come in the open and play. But after sometime they retreated back in.

This picture was taken, when two of the cubs were surveying the scene from behind the curtain of grass.

• Date

  27-09-2023