It was 5pm in the evening, Jagat was with some clients in the park near Mahammen Pond, and they were looking for Challenger, a young robust male Tiger, about 5 years old, as this was his area. Time was right, place was right, and they were moving gradually, their ears were fervently waiting to hear some alarm calls, and their eyes were dying to get a glimpse of some stripes in the tall grass. It was any moment that they expected some movement of the majestic Tiger of the area.
Jagat looked at the patch of grass close by, and kept looking, and Tirath, was driving. As the patch of the grass finished, Jagat could not believe his eyes, Challenger was sitting in a small ditch about 5 meters away from the road. He turned and informed the clients in the Jeep about the presence of Tiger, by the time the clients in the Jeep saw Challenger, Jagat again had a look at him. Instantly he told Tirath to speed up the vehicle and move away from Challenger. Neither Tirath, nor the guests comprehended this strange behavior of Jagat. They wanted to take some photographs. They asked him what happened? By now the Jeep was about 20 meters away from Challenger. It was then that Jagat told them that he saw a cut mark above his nose, and by his sitting posture he noticed that Challenger was not sitting, he was uncomfortably lying in the ditch. Challenger was hurt. He was in pain. Now, the jeep was at a safe distance and Challenger was still visible. It was now that Jagat showed the clients with his binoculars where the Tiger was hurt. By now couple of other Jeeps had also arrived, and Jagat asked them to move away as well.
Jagat and Tirath decided to inform the forest department about the same. Next morning, we heard that Challenger had passed away.
I received this call, and just could not believe my ears, as I had been following Challenger for last 2 years. He had rekindled my interest in photography, and on some occasions gave me an opportunity to spend long time with him. The first thought in my mind was that I don’t think I will ever visit Bandhavgarh again. Bandhavgarh will not be the same again without Challenger.
This handsome young male was named Challenger when he was only 2 years and had challenged his father’s territory. In the brawl that followed, Challenger was no match to his big father popularly known as B2, and he lost half of his left ear in the fight with his father.
Well, Challenger will not come back for sure, but his memories will always remain in hearts and minds of people who saw him. A majestic male Tiger who would walk, least bothered with the tourist Jeeps around, a Tiger who patrolled our forests when we sleep.
Sharad Vats
2007
