Tigers and Humans

While humans rapidly innovate to add more convenience to their way of living, the same cannot

be said for other species that populate our planet. With diminishing woodlands, rampant human

encroachment, poaching and deforestation, and changing climatic conditions, the lives of animals

have become increasingly difficult in recent times. Tigers, the biggest of the big-cats, have a

particularly punishing life, one that surrounds them with hunger and death, and has left the

population dwindling.

The curiosity to unearth the plight of tigers’ existence took me on multiple adventures, deep

within the trails of the Ranthambore National Park. Not only did seeing them up close and

discovering their way of living give me intense goosebumps, it also made me realize there isn’t a

one-word answer to how complex their lives truly are.

Tigers have coexisted for thousands of years with humans, often peacefully but with some

incidents of manslaughter and poaching reported every once in a while. Judging by my

observations, tigers, over the course of their coexistence, have started exhibiting complex,

human-like personality traits. This may either be a result of them mirroring us humans or

conditioning through generations to coexist without clashes with the human population.

While slowly treading through a patch of uneven ground, amidst the sounds of birds chirping and

dry branches crunching beneath the safari-jeep’s tires, I vividly remember the description of

tigers’ traits being delivered by our contingent’s guide. Much like humans, some–particularly

bold and extroverted tigers often wander close to safari jeeps, flaunting their stunning coats and

occasionally scratching and rubbing against the panels of the jeeps. Others, the shy and timid

ones, pounce deep within the depths of the jungle the moment they hear humans approaching.

Unlike humans, wolves, elephants and lions, tigers prefer to live in isolation. Young cubs get to

enjoy the nurturing and protection of their mothers only for a few months, who then drive them

away after teaching the masterful art of stealthy hunting. With no patch to call their home, the

cubs wander through the endless meadows, eating abandoned carcasses of prey and struggling to

survive. This grit refines them, and makes them the revered beasts capable of taking down any

animal in their path. Life eventually takes a turn for the worse however; with decreasing mobility

and an inability to hunt, their desolation leads to their demise.

While the predatory felines face challenges starkly different to those faced by us, I find myself

drawing close parallels between the two species. This humbling experience reminds me how

important it is to build, and cherish all the human connections I form while I walk through this

jungle of life. Remarkably, I find Ranthambor’s staff facility taking all the steps necessary to

ensure the best palliative care is given to all tigers. Tigers are also posthumously honoured withprayers as they are cremated at the park, which shows how we humans, although lower in their

food chains, build and foster connections with the beasts.