The opening of Kanha National Park was delayed for 15 days after a heavy shower of monsoon in October. But the delay brought with it some fascinating changes and discoveries. It was wonderful to discover some new changes in park in terms of the tiger territory.
Munna or T-17, the King of Kanha and the oldest living tiger male tiger in the wild, at 17 years of age, was one of the most photographed tigers in the world. He is well known globally, for the very evident CAT mark on his forehead. Incidentally, his limp similar to a park guide named Munna is what earned this striped cat the nickname.
Munna was spending his golden days living in the buffer areas, surviving mainly by killing cattle from nearby villages. But to avoid conflict with humans in the future, Munna was shifted to Bhopal Van Vihar for his safety.
It took us few weeks to understand Whole Park again and results were surprising. Most of the tiger were stick to their home range and we were about to get some good news as well.
In the Kisli zone Sandook Khol female was nursing her 4 cubs and was spotted few times. Whereas the Kopedabri female was also seen nursing her brood of 3 cubs.
M1 was still found roaming around in Kisli zone despite pressure from other adult tigers, like Supkhar male and Sangam male.
Dhamangaon male is also fund around the area and he tends to covers Kisli and Sarhi zones both. He was known to fight with M3 as well.
Kopedabri male did manage to survive without his mother and was seen trying everything possible to be in his home range
In Sarhi zone, Banno was spotted again this season with her cubs. Though unfortunately M3 is known to have killed one of her cubs.
In Kanha zone, Naina made for a heart-warming sighting as they made a special appearance with her four little cuties in January. She has now started covering her mother’s dreams (mother’s name?) and territory.
Neelam is expected to have her third litter soon as per the naturalists and guides.
Neelima, Neelam’s daughter also successfully seen around her mother’s home range.
Bajrang, Balwan & Junior Bajrang can still be sighted around Kanha zone.
Mukki zone always been famous for tiger sightings and yet again DJ female has been seen with her 3 cubs. Sighted plenty of times, but she is seen with another male, as resident male (Chota Munna) has not been sighted in his home range for a while.
Umarpani male was seen roaming around Mukki area and DJ female‘s daughter has been seen sharing the territory with her mother.
(As per sightings from October 2019 to March 2020)
Contributed by: Harpreet Singh, Kanha Earth Lodge
