Tracking Tigers on India Safari

A Comprehensive Guide on Tracking Tigers in Tigerland

Best Ways of Tiger Tracking on Safari and things to look out for. Expert Tips and Advice for Tracking Wildlife in Jungle.

The tigers are widely known to be one of the most magnificent animals of the wild. But their elusive nature and dwindling populations make them difficult to track and study. These striped beasts are the largest of the family Felidae, or cat family, and their presence is critical to the balance of ecology in their habitats. Learning to track these incredible animals is a critical part of their conservation, for researchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Before you head out into the bush on a tiger-tracking adventure, knowing their behavior and habitat is key. Tigers are lone hunters, and each have a massive territory that they will scent and scratch-mark on trees. Tiger activity is also affected by seasonal shifts. That means, during dry seasons, they often frequent waterholes, so those are also prime spots for seeing them. If you know these things, this will greatly improve your chances of successfully tracking tigers.

Lets First Understand Animal Tracking

Basics of Animal Tracking

Animal tracking is the practice of following and interpreting the indicators left from animal activity. It is a necessary approach in wildlife research that helps the scientists to collect information regarding animal behavior, their habitat, and population dynamics. Signs to look for when tracking animals are:

• Pugmarks: Impressions made in soft soil or sand.
• Scat: Poop that can give clues to diet and health.
• Claw Marks: Scratches on trees or rocks that show territorial marking.
• Trails: Tracks commonly travelled by wildlife.

Tiger Tracking: Methods and Techniques

Tracking tigers takes persistence, expertise and an eye for detail. Some tricks to better your tracking skills are here:

Tracks and Signs:

• These are territorial animals that leave signs of their presence. These include spray markings or claw scratches on trees and scat left strategically along pathways.
• A tiger that has recently walked past is best signaled by spray markings which smell like boiled rice found close to a tree or bush.
• Scat (droppings) can tell us not just whether a tiger has moved through an area but also provide insights into its diet and health.

Searching for these signs involves careful observation and knowledge of tiger behavior. Trails with visible signs are a guide to determine the direction of movement, simultaneously estimate how far away the tiger might be.

Pugmarks

Alarm Calls

• In the jungle, langurs, deer and birds serve as a kind of natural informants for tiger trackers. These animals issue unique alarm calls when they detect a predator nearby. So, for example, the sharp cry of a spotted deer or the loud bark of a langur can indicate that a tiger is nearby.
• Trackers use these auditory cues to help them locate the tigers. Once an alarm call is made, the waiting game begins, as the guides station themselves at various vantage points depending upon the perceived direction of the movement of the animals.
• This approach takes time but doesn’t go unrewarded. 

Local Knowledge

• Local guides have unparalleled insights into the behavior of tigers and their movements in the parks. Since they are familiar with certain territories, waterholes and trails, the odds of sighting tigers on safaris are higher.
• Prior to starting a safari, the guides usually inform their guests of any recent sightings or movements based on discussions with other trackers in the park. This partnership enables a knowledge-based practice, while also ensuring visitors’ experiences are both informative and enriching.

Luck

• Tiger tracking involves a lot of luck despite all measures taken. Tigers are capricious beasts that tend to show up at the most unexpected times like during a breakfast break or when leaving a park at the end of a safari.
• This unexpectedness brings lots of thrills to each safari experience. Even experienced trackers readily concede that there is simply no amount of expertise that can ensure a sighting; more often it’s just a matter of showing up.

Tigress with Cubs

• This keeps a tigress relatively stationary when she has cubs, because she remains nearby to protect them. It raises the probability of seeing her, because she visits certain places, such as waterholes or shaded areas around her den.
• However, safari vehicles attract the curiosity of cubs, who linger out of interest, providing unique opportunities for observations and photography. There is no experience that is as memorable as watching a tigress interact with her cubs for any wildlife enthusiast.

Patience is Key

• Tracking tigers in the wild is an exhilarating, albeit unpredictable, experience that demands patience above all. Although these six strategies will increase the odds that you’ll see a tiger, there’s no guarantee and that’s why each safari is a new experience.
• Even if you don’t spot a tiger, the jungle has endless rewards: exotic birdlife, playful monkeys, grazing deer and spectacular landscapes.
• So next time you find yourself in tiger country, just in case you do get there, enjoy the journey more so than the destination and that every time you are in nature is a chance to connect with the magical details of the environment!

Safety Measures

Safety Measures When You Are Tracking Tigers

As exciting as tiger tracking can be, your safety must come first! Below are some tips to keep you safe and responsible while tracking:

• Never Approach: Always stay away from tigers in order to prevent disturbing them or causing you personal injury.
• Be Silent: Do not make sudden, loud noises that may alarm the tiger.
• Avoid Attention: Wear camouflage clothing and stay down low to ground to blend in with your surroundings.
• Ethical Tracking: Be mindful not to take any actions that may disrupt or harm the wildlife, ensuring that you do not have any adverse impact on the ecosystem.

Things to Carry Along on a Tiger Tracking

Everything you need to pack for a tiger tracking safari

Tiger tracking safari is an experience of a lifetime and proper preparation and planning is necessary to make the safari comfortable, safe as well as successful in witnessing the majestic big cat. Here’s a hand-picked list of safari essentials to pack:

Personal Care & Health

• Insect repellent: Keep those mosquitoes (and other bugs) at bay.
• Sunscreen and Lip Balm: Important for sunny weather.
• First-aid kit: Carry prescription medicines, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, and anti-allergic medication.
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: For quick cleans during long safari drives.

Photography & Viewing Gear

• Camera with zoom lens: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a lens of minimum focal length around 300mm for capturing great wildlife photographs.
• Binoculars: Important in order to see far-away animals.
• Dustproof bag-to-go: Keep your gear dust-free during bumpy rides.

Documents & Miscellaneous

• Travel documents: Passport, visas, safari permit, and other travel insurance in a waterproof folder.
• Reusable water bottle: Perfect for both staying hydrated and cutting down on plastic waste.
• Energy bars or snack: Perfect for long game drives
• To ensure you have a smooth, enjoyable safari; pack smart! Hitting Ranthambore’s rough terrain or Bandhavgarh’s thick forests, these must-haves will ensure you’re prepared for an experience of a lifetime.

Do’s and Don’ts of a Tiger Safari While Tracking a Tiger

A tiger safari is an exhilarating experience, but it requires a healthy respect for the jungle and its denizens. Thus following the right ones in etiquette and regulations helps you not only to pop your chances of sighting the exquisite tiger but also to stay safe and work towards conservation. Here are the important dos and don’ts to remember:

Dos:

Choose the Right Season

Plan your safari for the dry season (November to April) when tigers are more active around water sources, leading to a better chance of sightings.

Be Silent and Patient

In the jungle, silence is golden. Noisy sounds can drive tigers and other wildlife away. Talk in whispers and be prepared to wait for hours until the tigers come into view; tracking tigers takes time.

Do What Your Guide Tells You

It is the kind of thing you learn to have an eye for when you spend time with experienced guides who can read the signs: pugmarks, alarm calls, territorial markings. Listen to them and follow their orders closely.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Wear light, neutral-colored clothes and dress such that you blend in with the environment. Bright colors may alarm or distract wildlife.

Use Proper Gear

Bring along binoculars for spotting animals in the distance; a camera with a zoom lens for taking pictures; sunscreen; insect repellent; and a reusable water bottle for staying hydrated.

Respect Jungle Etiquette

Stay on marked paths, don’t litter and keep a safe distance from animals, both for their safety and yours.

Don’ts

Avoid Making Noise

Avoid using loud machinery or speaking loudly. Even faint noises can interfere with the natural behavior of tigers and other wildlife.

Don’t Force Close Encounters

Never push your driver or guide to move closer to animals. Such actions could put you and the wildlife at risk.

Don’t Ignore Alarm Calls

The alarm calls of birds, deer or langurs often signify a tiger lurking nearby. Recognize and pay attention to these signals rather than ignore them.

Avoid Flash Photography

Flash can frighten animals and spoil the jungle atmosphere.

Do Not Venture Alone

Never wander off, which can be dangerous in the territory of jungle cats.

If you follow the dos and don’ts above, not only will you enhance the likelihood of spotting a tiger, but you will also play a part in conserving their habitat for the future. Keep in mind, you are a guest in their house — respect that!

Recommended Books for Wildlife and Tiger Tracking