The main objective of heading to a jungle safari is to spot a tiger. It is an out-of-body experience and can be highly exhilarating. The dense forests of our country have bridged the gap between nature and humanity. India is endowed with many such jungles. The lockdown had narrowed options for people to visit. But with liberation laws opening the doors to some of these forests proved effective and allowed nature lovers to reconnect with these settings. Tiger safaris are blissful and barred from the hustle and bustle of commercial places. Tiger safaris in India have massively facilitated the process of exploring different species in the arms of nature.
People who are at one with nature can come here and revel in the tranquillity of jungles. These forests occupy a sublime calmness that grants people the possibility to spot many wild animals otherwise not frequently seen. Tiger safaris in India have been around for years and draw a considerable number of tourists. Wildlife fanatics and photography buffs seek sanctuary here. They can sincerely document and witness the phenomena amongst wild animals and their biases. These places are often magical. Also, seeing the wild beast in its natural habitat is an unparalleled experience.
TRACING A TIGER
1) Signs and tracks
A tiger’s protective nature compels them to use several ways to keep their rivals at a distance. A male tiger roughly needs 100 sq. km. of territory, and females require 15 to 20 sq. km. Spray marking symbolizes their environment. They mark the trees with urine or scratch them with their claws. Additionally, they eliminate waste in the center of or side of the pathway and then scrape the ground hence emphasizing the excrement for their rivals to see. These signs also come in handy while tracking tigers.
Chaperones are on the lookout for fresh scat or tree markings which denote that the animal was recently here. The spray mark on trees smells like boiled basmati rice. Some people even touch the trees to discern if it’s wet.
2) Pugmarks
Another significant means of tracking tigers are their pugmarks. They despise walking on roads and hence walk on open trails. They have softly padded paws, which help them in traversing silently. To steer clear of injuries from thorns on the forest floor, they prefer open trails. Doing so leaves an imprint behind, helping people gauge the possible location of a tiger.
It is highly recommended to take the first early morning safari because the pugmarks are undisturbed, helping naturalists and guides follow them and eventually spot the wild beast.
3) Alarm calls
The tigers traverse rather stealthily through the woods. It isn’t easy to hear them walk. However, their movement can often spook other animals in the jungle who make distinctive sounds to alert other animals of the tiger’s movements. These sounds are essential because it is a direct hallmark of the tiger’s presence. The liaisons are prompt and alert, so watch out for it.
Langurs or monkeys are the watchmen of every jungle. Upon spotting a tiger, monkeys and deer initiate alarm calls. Monkeys sit on trees, overlooking a vast patch of land. If the jungle feels sullen and quiet, try to hear the animal calls, they could be direct signage of tiger presence. Animals have a peculiar way of expressing themselves, which differs from one another. Other animals like sambhar and birds like a peacock and red jungle owl also exhibit alarm calls.
If you want to locate them, try to follow the sound of the alarm calls and the direction it progresses in. Being at the right place at the right time also helps. One must stay overly patient because this is not like watching animals in a zoo. It is their natural habitat and can be more time-consuming.
4) Local information
The local guides are very knowledgeable when it comes to the mastery of knowledge about the jungle. Because they pass through these routes every day, they are informed regarding the recent sightings and their whereabouts. Before initiating a safari, they educate the tourists about the previous sightings and the forest’s working. If a particular area has witnessed numerous sightings, they will explore them first. For instance, during the summers, tigers often walk to a nearby quarry in search of water. If you get lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of it.
