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Dear Friends,
This is a place of exclusive pictures from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Please click on to watch these exclusive pictures.
All the Photos you will see here is my Own work.
The Photos published here are EDITED and not the ORIGINAL.

The ORIGINAL COPIES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED HERE IS SAFE WITH ME AND THEY ARE COPYRIGHTED.

Please follow the link given below each Picture for Details.

Your comments are most welcome.

Please be Cautious:
(1) All the Photos, you will watch here, are exclusively taken by me.
(2) They are simply meant to watch here only.
(3) Nobody is allowed to use these photographs professionally or any other purpose without my permission.
(4) The original copies of these edited photos are with me only.
(4) If you want any original photo, You can ask me.
(5) All the photographs are copyrighted.

Feel free to contact me, for any kind of help regarding Tadoba, on +91 9420303020 , +91 9595936369 & +91 9372069911.

You can mail me at : tadobatiger@gmail.com

The Reflection of Prosperous Future....

So Many Tourists keep asking me if it is possible to sight a tiger in the wild in "Monsoon" amidst heavy rains..? This photograph is the answer to their queries. What you can see in this image is the pure model of Tigers in Monsoon and beauty of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Amidst heavy rains, Tadoba kept opened for tourism in monsoon. It observed so many tourists very first time in Monsoon. And most important thing is very exceptionally anybody returned without having that magical glimpse of Tadoba Tigers.

Mohurli Cubs literally rocked this Monsoon and gave some amazing shots. To add into the glory, this is the tigress who littered 3 more cubs for the Mohurli area.

So now Mohurli has 7 cubs besides other Male/Female Tigers. This show will bring charm into magical sightings once the Mohurli roads will be opened, which still remained closed due to heavy rains.

If you wish to know more info; Please feel free to call me on +919595936369 or +919420303020 or you can mail me at tadobatiger@gmail.com.

Please click to meet me on Facebook , Twitter , Linkedin , Skype: Shalik Jogwe

Feel free to Join Facebook Group "Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve [TATR]" to have a regular update and sharing your thoughts.

Who is Gentle..?

Rather than writing any narration for the incident shown above, I left it for every individuals own thinking. I think the picture is enough capable to explain the problem in the conservation and protection of big cats.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve deserves to be one of the Best Tiger Habitat across the Nation. This is proved again and again by increasing numbers of Tigers in Tadoba and its periphery despite of so much nuisance and even when surrounded by Opencast Coal Mines.

This park is upcoming as one of the best breeding center for Tigers. Again the number says everything.

Sambar : 2-in-1

Sambar (also sambur, sambhur, Tamil: Kadaththi maan, Assamese: Xor Pohu), is the common name for several large dark brown and maned Asian deer, particularly for the Indian species (Cervus unicolor), which attains a height of 102 to 160 cm (40 to 63 in) at the shoulder and may weigh as much as 546 kg (1200 pounds), though more typically 162-260 kg (357-574 pounds). The coat is dark brown with chestnut marks on the rump and underparts. The large, rugged antlers are typically rusine, the brow tines being simple and the beams forked at the tip. In some specimens the antlers exceed 101 cm (40 in).

Ecology:

Sambars are primarily browsers that live in woodlands and feed mainly on coarse vegetation, grass, and herbs. They are diurnal animals who live in herds of 5-6 members, grazing on grass, sprigs, fruit and bamboo buds.
These deer are seldom far from water and, although primarily of the tropics, are hardy and may range from sea level up to high elevations such as the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest zone in the Himalayan Mountains sharing its range with the Himalayan musk deer. These deer are found in habitats ranging from tropical seasonal forests (tropical dry forests and seasonal moist evergreen forests), subtropical mixed forests (conifers, broadleaf deciduous, and broadleaf evergreen tree species) to tropical rainforests. Their range covers a vast majority of territory that is classified as tropical rainforest, but their densities are probably very low there. In these areas, the deer probably prefer clearings and areas adjacent to water. They live as far north, according to Wild China, as the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains in Central China. In Taiwan, sambar along with sika deer have been raised on farms for their antlers, which they drop annually in April to May. Sambars are a favorite prey item for tigers. They also can be taken by crocodiles, mostly the sympatric Mugger Crocodiles. More rarely, leopards and dholes will take young or sickly deer.

Lifestyle and reproduction:

Though they have no specific mating season, sambars commonly mate from September and on to January in the Northern hemisphere. Males defend rutting territories and attempt to attract females by vocal and olfactory displays. The males are solitary and highly aggressive toward other males during this time. Females may live in groups of eight. A male may have one whole group of females in his territory.

The gestation period for the females is around 9 months with one calf born at a time. Sambar calves have brown hair with light spots which they lose very shortly. Calves stay with their mothers for up to two years.

Species distribution:

The Indian Sambar (Cervus unicolor syn. Cervus aristotelis) inhabit much of southern Asia (as far north as the south-facing slopes of the Himalayan Mountains), mainland Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula), southern China (including Hainan Island), Taiwan, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. This deer has been seen congregating in large herds in protected areas such as national parks and reserves in India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The subspecies of Indian sambar in India and Sri Lanka are the largest of the genus with the largest antlers both in size and in body proportions. The South China sambar of Southern China and Mainland Southeast Asia is probably second in terms of size with slightly smaller antlers than the Indian sambar. The Sumatran sambar, that inhabits the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, and the Bornean sambar seem to have the smallest antlers in proportion to their body size. The Formosan sambar is the smallest Cervus unicolor with antler-body proportions more similar to the South China sambar.

There are two small, separate but similar species, the Philippine Sambar (Cervus mariannus) and the Philippine Spotted Deer (also known as the Visayan Spotted Deer or Alfred's Sambar) (Cervus alfredi), that inhabit the Philippine Islands. Both deer are smaller than the Formosan sambar.

The Rusa Deer, or Sunda Sambar (Cervus timorensis), is slightly smaller than the Indian Sambar and inhabits the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia and, unlike the latter three species, it is predominantly a grazer and forms the largest herds. This deer probably originated in Java but was widely introduced to several adjacent islands as well as the Molucca Islands and Lesser Sunda Islands. Herds gather in open savannas but will retreat to adjacent dry deciduous woodlands or seasonal mixed deciduous monsoon forests for cover. This deer is a favorite prey of the Komodo Dragon.

There is also a small herd of sambar located on St. Vincent Island in Florida. These were brought in by the former owner, before he sold the island to the Nature Conservancy.

Monsoon Magic at Tadoba

Tadoba - The only Tiger Reserve open for Wildlife Tourism even in Monsoon - looks very beautiful in Monsoon. Whole the Beauty of Landscape, wildlife, Birds and all the Predators at its utmost. The sighting ratio of Carnivores like Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dogs (Dhole), Sloth Bear and all other major manmals alongwith with Birds is very good. I sighted 3 Tigers same day with Yuvraj Gurjar, a renowned wildlife photographer, who again sighted 5 tigers on the next day on 16th & 17th August.

Another benefit is in Monsoon, despite of the fact that Tadoba is the only Tiger Reserve open for Tourism, it lacks of Tourists. So, may be sightings will definitely lesser than summer, if you got any chance to snap wildlife, it will be a great treat as there is not much noise due to less crowd.

Another benefit is of low rates (off-season) at Tadoba. During this period, MTDC resort offers their offseason rates. You can avail the rooms very easily.

Overall, visiting Tadoba and sighting a tiger in Monsoon is definitely a unforgettable feast. Hope this beauty will keep up....

Looking Ahead..!

It's almost a year is completed on Indianaturewatch - one of the leading photography forum of wildlife photographers - posting the photographs from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).

How much I am successful in presenting TATR through my lense that I dont know but I can see the boost in wildlife tourism in and around the park.

On such a occassion, I was looking to post a fresh new photograph which I had not in my library. I set my mind to snap such a photograph of tiger which can reflect my walk in the field of wildlife photography. The theme was - I was nothing a year ago and gained some height at this point. But now ahead of me I can see a down and dark of challenges in various fields of wildlife as far as conservation and protection concerns but I will still look and walk ahead despite of all the challenges.

Keeping the same goal in mind, I went to the park alongwith my one of the close friend from Hyderabad, Srivardhan Garlapati. Right from the beginning of our trail we were finding the marks of Big Cat's presence at number of places but we were not able to spot her. At a place nearer to a waterhole, we sighted the pugmarks ended suddenly. Observing the spot carefully, I was confidant of the presence of her highness. Yes.... I proved right. Just after few minutes we were able to spot this female tigress resting in the shade, having some breakfast. After her first sight, we sighted her for almost 3 hours without any disturbance. During all this time, number of times, she gave us very- very close sight of her but in such a manner dat I was not getting the proper angle to snap. Though allowing me to snap properly only 4 shots, she had given me that pose which I was looking for - My Theme Shot....!

I know this is very difficult to believe but its true. I feel this is only the blessings and Love of Tadoba Tigers which they are continuously showering upon me...!

Monitor Lizzard @ Tadoba

Monitor lizards also known as bayawak or goannas, genus Varanus, are members of the family Varanidae. Varanus is a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the heaviest living lizard, the Komodo dragon and the crocodile monitor which is the longest lizard in the world. The closest living relatives the are the anguid and helodermatid lizards.

Monitor lizards are generally large reptiles, although some can be as small as 12 centimetres in length. They have long necks, powerful tails and claws, and well-developed limbs. Most species are terrestrial, but arboreal and semi-aquatic monitors are also known. Almost all monitor lizards are carnivorous, although Varanus prasinus and Varanus olivaceus are also known to eat fruit. They are oviparous, laying from 7 to 37 eggs, which they often cover with soil or protect in a hollow tree stump.

Distribution:

The various species of Varanus cover a vast area, occurring through Africa, the Asian subcontinent from India and Sri Lanka to China, down Southeast Asia to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and islands of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

Evolutionary overview:

Monitor lizards differ greatly from other lizards in several ways, possessing a relatively high metabolic rate for reptiles and several sensory adaptations that benefit the hunting of live prey. Recent research indicates that the varanid lizards, including the Komodo dragon, may have weak venom. This discovery of venom in monitor lizards, as well as in agamid lizards, led to the Toxicofera hypothesis: that all venomous lizards and snakes share a common venomous ancestor.

During the late Cretaceous era, monitor lizards or close relatives are believed to have evolved into amphibious and then fully marine forms, the mosasaurs, which reached lengths of up to 17 m.

It was also believed that snakes are more closely related to monitor lizards than any other type of extant reptile, but that view has been modified recently to make snakes a sister group of the clade of iguanians and anguimorphs.

During the Pleistocene epoch, giant monitor lizards lived in Southeast Asia and Australasia, the best known fossil being Varanus priscus (formerly known as Megalania prisca). This species is an iconic member of the Pleistocene megafauna of Australia.

Some monitor lizards are apparently capable of parthenogenesis.

Etymology:

The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل, (alternative spelling 'waran'= "lizard"). The name comes from a common semitic root ouran, waran, or waral meaning "lizard". It has been suggested that the occasional habit of varanids to stand on their two hind legs and to appear to "monitor" their surroundings led to this name as it was Latinized into Varanus. Its common name is derived from the Latin word monere meaning "to warn".

In Tamil and Malayalam monitor lizards are known as "Udumbu", in Marathi monitor lizards are known as "Ghorpad" घोरपड. In Kannada monitor lizards are known as "Uda", and in Sinhalese, "Kabaragoya". In Telugu monitor lizards are known as "Udumu". Due to confusion with the large New World lizards of the family iguanidae, the lizards became known as "goannas" in Australia. Similarly, in Southern Africa they are referred to as "leguaan", from the Dutch for iguana.

Intelligence:

Varanid lizards are very intelligent, and some species can even count. Careful studies feeding V. albigularis at the San Diego Zoo varying numbers of snails showed that they can distinguish numbers up to six. V. niloticus have been observed to cooperate when foraging. One varanid lures the female crocodile away from her nest while the other opens the nest to feed on the eggs. The decoy then returns to also feed on the eggs. Komodo dragons, V. komodoensis, at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., recognize their keepers and seem to have distinct personalities.

In captivity:

Monitor lizards have become a staple in the reptile pet trade. The most commonly kept monitors are the Savannah monitor and Acklin's monitor, due to their relatively small size, low cost, and relatively calm dispositions. Nile monitors, white throated monitors, water monitors, mangrove monitors, emerald tree monitors, and komodo dragons have also been kept in captivity. Like all reptiles that are kept as pets, monitors need hiding places and an appropriate substrate. Monitors also need a large water dish in which they can soak their entire body. In the wild, monitors will eat anything they can overpower, but crickets, superworms, and the occasional rodent make up most of the captive monitors' diet. Boiled eggs, silkworms, earthworms, and feeder fish can also be fed to them. However, due to their predatory nature and large size some monitors can be dangerous to keep as pets; adult Nile monitors and water monitors, for example can reach seven feet in length.

Protected status:

In Tamil Nadu and all other parts of South India, catching or killing of monitor lizards is banned.

Classification:

Genus Varanus
*V. acanthurus
....*V. a. acanthurus, Spiny-tailed Monitor or Spiny-tailed Goanna
....*V. a. brachyurus, Common Ridge-tailed Monitor
....*V. a. insulanicus, Island Ridge-tailed Monitor
*aranus albigularis, Rock Monitor
....*V. a. albigularis, White-throated Monitor
....*V. a. angolensis, Angola White-throated Monitor
....*V. a. ionidesi, Black-throated Monitor
*V. auffengbergi, Peacock Monitor
*V. baritji, Northern Ridge-tailed Goanna
*V. beccarii, Black Tree Monitor
*V. bengalensis
....*V. b. bengalensis, Bengal Monitor
....*V. b. nebulosus, Clouded Monitor
*V. boehmei, Golden-spotted Tree Monitor
*V. bogerti, Louisiade Tree Monitor
*V. brevicauda, Short-tailed Monitor
*V. bushi, Pilbara Goanna
*V. caerulivirens, Turqois Monitor
*V. caudolineatus, Stripe-tailed Goanna
*V. cerambonensis, Ceram Mangrove Monitor
*V. cumingi, Cuming's Water Monitor
*V. doreanus, Blue-tailed Monitor
*V. dumerilii, Dumeril's Monitor
*V. ermius, Desert Pygmy Monitor
*V. exanthematicus, Savannah Monitor
*V. finschi, Finsch's Monitor
*V. flavescens, Yellow Monitor
*V. giganteus, Perentie
*V. gilleni, Pygmy Mulga Goanna
*V. glauerti, Kimberley Rock Monitor
*V. glebopalma, Black-palmed Rock Monitor
*V. gouldii, Sand Goanna
....*V. g. horni, Horn's Monitor
....*V. g. rubidus, Yellow-spotted Monitor
*V. griseus, Desert Monitor
....*V. g. griseus, Western Desert Monitor
....*V. g. caspius, Eastern Desert Monitor
....*V. g. koniecznyi, Thar Desert Monitor
*V. indicus, Mangrove Monitor
*V. jobiensis, Peach Throat Monitor
*V. juxtindicus, Hakoi Monitor
*V. keithhornei, Canopy Goanna
*V. kingorum, King's Goanna
*V. komodoensis, Komodo Dragon
*V. kordensis, Kordo Tree Monitor
*V. lirungensis, Lirung Monitor
*V. mabitang, Panay Monitor
*V. macraei, Blue-spotted Tree Monitor
*V. marmoratus, Marbled Water Monitor
*V. melinus, Quince Monitor
*V. mertensi, Merten's Water Monitor
*V. mitchelli, Mitchell's Water Monitor
*V. niloticus, Nile Monitor
*V. nuchalis, Spiny-necked Water Monitor
*V. olivaceus, Gray's Monitor
*V. ornatus, Ornate Monitor
*V. panoptes
....*V. p. panoptes, Argus Monitor
....*V. p. horni, Horn's Monitor
....*V. p. rubidus
*V. pilbarensis, Pilbara Rock Monitor
*V. prasinus, Emerald Tree Monitor
*V. primordius, Blunt-spined Goanna
*V. priscus, Megalania
*V. rainerguentheri
*V. reisingeri, Reisinger's Tree Monitor
*V. rosenbergi, Rosenberg's Goanna or Heath Monitor
*V. rudicollis, Black Roughneck Monitor
*V. salvadorii, Crocodile Monitor
*V. salvator, Water Monitor
....*V. s. salvator, Asian Water Monitor
....*V. s. andamanensis, Andaman Islands Water Monitor
....*V. s. bivittatus, Two-striped Water Monitor
....*V. s. komaini, Black Water Monitor
....*V. s. macromaculatus, Southeast Asian Water Monitor
*V. scalaris, Spotted Tree Goanna
*V. semiremex, Mangrove Pygmy Goanna
*V. spenceri, Spencer's Goanna
*V. spinulosus, St. Isabel Mangrove Monitor
*V. storri, Storr's Goanna
....*V. s. storri, Eastern Storr's Goanna
....*V. s. ocreatus, Western Storr's Monitor
*V. telenesetes, Rossel Island Tree Monitor
*V. timorensis, Timor Tree Monitor
*V. togianus, Togian Water Monitor
*V. tristis, Black-headed Monitor
....*V. t. orientalis, Freckled Monitor
*V. varius, Lace Monitor
*V. yemenensis, Yemen Monitor
*V. yuwonoi, Tri-colored Monitor
*V. zugorum, Zug's Monitor

Dhole in Action @ Tadoba

Dhole (Wild Dog) Mating Pair @ Tadoba

Gaur Calf in Action @ Kolsa (Tadoba)

Tadoba Jungle Cat

OHB Tadoba: Ready to Take-Off

Tadoba Deer in Spot-Light

Tadoba Bird - Indian Roller

INDIAN ROLLER

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), was formerly locally called the Blue Jay, a misnomer. It is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds in tropical southern Asia from Iraq to Thailand. It is not migratory, but undertakes some seasonal movements.

The Indian Roller is a stocky bird, the size of a Jackdaw at 30-34cm. It has a warm brown back, lilac breast and face, and blue crown, wings, tail and belly. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult. The Southeast Asian race C. b. affinis has a green back and purple underparts.

Indian Roller is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blues of the wings contrasting with the brown back.

This is a common bird of warm open country with some trees. These rollers often perch prominently on trees, posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects, lizards and frogs that they eat. They will follow tractors for disturbed invertebrates, and dash into the smoke of a forest fire on a similar mission. They are fearless and will dive and roll at humans and other intruders.

The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in a lined hole in a tree or building, and lays about 3-5 eggs.

The call of Indian Roller is a harsh crow-like chack sound. Also makes a variety of other sounds including a metallic boink calls. Especially vociferous during the breeding season.

Indian roller has been given the status of state bird for Indian states of Bihar, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

This bird is very common in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve - A place of beautiful birds including migratory birds as well as Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dogs (Dholes), Deer (excluding Barasinga), Gaur, Leopard Cat. The Flat Terrain of Tadoba (TATR) provides beautiful chances for photographing Indian Roller.

The Power of Tadoba Tiger..!

As one can see in this image, this Male Tiger from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve was totally disturbed due to some idiot tourist who believe wildlife is for fun. Such tourists who took accomodation for enjoyment and wildlife tourism as fun, harming the whole process of wildlife tourism, Conservation and Protection very badly. So many time the Cars and Packed vehicles unable to provide tourists proper sighting and thus results into disturbance. One of the tourist in a car literally stepped down to sight the Tiger. In such condition if the Cat attacked any of the vehicle or tourists, and happens anything unwanted, who is responsible for that..? The Tiger..? The Park Management..? or these Idiot Tourists..??? Even when the guide was asking them to keep silent and not to step down from the vehicle, they dont. The Tiger in the above picture was so disturbed that it was in the mood of charging. But, once again, the Cat Proved - It's more gentle and patient than human beings...!

The Challenge...!

Jungle Cat

Please Click Here to know more about Jungle Cat

Indian Roller - The Tadoba Beauty...

Please Click Here to know more about Indian Roller or Blue Jay

Leopard in the Night...!

Please Click Here To Know More About Leopards

The Rare Sight - Civet in Daytime

The most uncommon thing about the sighting of this Common or Asian Palm Civet is the time when it was seen. Generally the Civets are sighted only in the night but I sighted this Common Palm Civet at 10 O'clock in the morning. Even my guide also confirmed that he had also not sighted this animal in daytime in his 10 years of career.

Please Click Here to know more about Common or Asian Palm Civet