Day 33 - Tiger day!

It was world Tiger Day yesterday, and a good reason to write about our Ranthambhore tiger story from January this year.

The forests of the Ranthambhore sanctuary are special - with their cliffs, the fort, the Dhok trees and the little ponds and lakes.  The mornings were chill and we were all layered and protected against the wind as we travelled in our open jeeps.

But this is an afternoon safari tale.  The afternoon we bumped into Jai the king of Zone 8. We stopped at the Zone Gate to do our checking in, and the five of us were chatting desultorily when suddenly the driver and guide came rushing in, the jeep was started and the driver shouted "hold on fast", and we were off - there was information in the driver network about the tiger having crossed a path.  

We held on to the bars and ducked our heads under trees as we went faster than we should.  Suddenly we climbed a bund and the driver slammed the brakes.

I was on the right side of the vehicle, and just beyond the door - I see a sleeping tiger that was startled awake by the jeep.

I just froze.  What if the tiger was unhappy at this rude awakening? What if he charged?  I did not move a muscle.  Me of the always clicking phone camera, could not reach in my bag and take out my phone. I was honestly quite terrified. 

Sekar hissed from behind - take some pictures you are the closest! That unfroze me, and nervously clicked a few.  Notice how it has positioned itself in the shade.

Sekar took these from the rear.  What a handsome unfriendly countenance.

I always wonder at the stupidity, ignorance and inhumanness of people who taunt these predators when they are in a zoo or enclosure.  See those paws, understand their strength.  I only have respect, I know it is not a friend, but it is a keystone species, important for the biodiversity.  We need to stay out of their way and avoid getting conflicted.    

Jai or T 108 - is one the largest males of Ranthambhore we were told.  Son of Kumbha and Ladli. His brother was Veeru.

Jai and Veeru, a Sholay fan at work here.

Meet T-108 “Jai”: From Cub to Dominant Male

To park guides and wildlife enthusiasts, Jai is more than just any tiger – he has a rich history in Ranthambore. T-108, nicknamed Jai, was first documented as a cub in February 2017 in Zone 6 . He and his sibling T-109 (Veeru) were born around November 2016 to the famed tigress Ladli (T-8) and male tiger Kumbha (T-34) . These two brothers were the sole survivors of Ladli’s litter and grew up exploring the grassy valleys of the Kundal area under their mother’s watchful eye .

As Jai matured into adolescence, he roamed the territory with his brother, learning to hunt and stake claim to the land. Tragedy struck in 2021 when a territorial clash in Zone 10 led to Veeru’s death at the paws of an older tiger, T-42 (Fateh) . The loss of his brother left Jai to forge his path alone. Park officials even mused that Jai seemed to linger near the Zone 10 boundary, almost as if waiting to “avenge” his brother’s death by eventually challenging Fateh .

Now about eight years old, Tiger Jai (T-108) has grown into a powerful male. His muscular build and heavy neck scruff have earned him the nickname “Hulk of Ranthambore” among local guides. Despite the challenges, Jai thrived. By 2023 he had firmly established himself as a dominant male in Zone 6, inheriting his mother Ladli’s former range. Recently, he has even begun contributing to the next generation of Ranthambore tigers. A young male tiger code-named T-129 was identified in a neighboring zone – believed to be Jai’s offspring . This means Jai’s lineage, descending from Ladli and Kumbha, continues to play an important part in the park’s tiger population.

Each tiger in Ranthambore is an “umbrella species” – protecting them indirectly protects countless other animals and the health of the forest. Jai’s success is thus a marker of the park’s effective conservation efforts. Just a couple of decades ago, tiger numbers here were perilously low; today, Ranthambore National Park tigers number in the dozens and continue to increase, thanks to careful wildlife management and anti-poaching measures. 

Once the tiger was spotted, it was as if the driver and guide lost interest in us and the rest of the ride.  They were still buzzing on a tiger high.

We stopped and watched the chital and sambar under the dhok trees for a while.

By 5 pm, we left the park gates and we made our way back to the Tiger Macchan resort where we were staying.