The tigers146; meal

As a passionate nature lover, nothing excites me more than reports of wildlife sightings in and around Munnar, especially those relating to ...

As a passionate nature lover, nothing excites me more than reports of wildlife sightings in and around Munnar, especially those relating to a highly endangered and elusive species like the tiger.

I was therefore delighted when a local tea planter recently brought welcome tidings, his face mirroring his excitement. While motorcycling through his estate earlier in the day, a full-grown tiger had nonchalantly crossed his path hardly 25 feet away and melted into the undergrowth. Needless to say, he was petrified by the proximity of the beast. A few hours later, he informed me, two cows were killed nearby.

The slaying of two cows was a bit intriguing, hinting at the presence of two tigers rather than one. However, our immediate concern was to protect them from the ire of the cattle owners who could easily poison the carcasses 8212; with disastrous consequences. One way out was to bury these. But before anything could be done, the tigers started feeding on them voraciously 8212; and none dared go anywhere near!

Perhaps it was the persistent 8216;call of the wild8217; which just could not be ignored. Or maybe the nagging thought that it was the chance of a lifetime. For on the third day curiosity overcame fear and a friend and I decided to visit the site.

Emboldened by the presence of four guides, we trekked the last few kilometres that were not jeepable. To reassure ourselves 8212; and to scare away the tigers in case they were around 8212; we chatted aloud as we picked our way through a sparse eucalyptus plantation. An eerie silence cloaked the area.

Then in a small clearing beside a stream we came across tiger pugs 8212; big ones as well as smaller ones, confirming that there were indeed two tigers. Strewn around were the remnants of their 8216;kills8217;: Bones and small chunks of decaying flesh encrusted with earth and swarming with flies. The stench was overpowering. From there the tigers8217; tracks led into a fairly dense thicket nearby. Scared but intrigued, we nervously tunnelled our way in with bated breath. In the stillness even the snapping of a twig made us jumpy. Inside we found the tigers8217; pugs imprinted deep in the soft earth, their droppings, numerous strands of white hair where they had lounged 8212; and a sense of foreboding. We had intruded into the tigers8217; lair.

We quickly photographed and measured the pugs, all the while glancing fearfully around to make sure the felines were not stalking us 8212; with a change of menu in mind! Then, taking one last look around, we hurried out.

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Back in the jeep we heaved a sigh of relief, thankful that 8216;Old Stripes8217; hadn8217;t caught us snooping around his den 8212; truly a sanctum sanctorum into which few dare to venture.