Ranthambore - A Wildlife Park in Rajastan

Ranthambore - A Wildlife Park in Rajastan

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Ranthambore is a large, well established wildlife park in Rajasthan. The area was the Jaipur Maharaja's hunting ground until India's independence, and includes an abandoned 10th century fort.

The 280 square kilometre park is crossed by dirt trails, used by our 'canter' safari jeeps, and which also provide comfortable tracks for the residents to get around...

... This recent paw-print was huge, and a good clue to where we might find a big cat

After some excited talk over the radio, our guide took our 'Canter' on a Duke-of-York style trek, before sighting was made

All the tigers in the park are known to the guides. This is 'Krishna' (T19), daughter of legendary Machhali, and now with 3 cubs of her own (who we didn't see)

She's been well trained in posing for tourists

'Lunch'

The Sambar Deer are the tiger's favourite prey, but with their large ears they have excellent hearing

That's a nasty wound in front of the eye, probably from a near miss

Tigers are also partial to Spotted Deer, although they don't make such a big meal

Although tigers occasionally prey on Blue Bull antelope (Nilgai), they are mostly too large and fast to fall victim

Lakes and Waterholes

There are many lakes and waterholes around the park. Do you think you would be able to swim to this island?...

... Probably not! This crocodile was photographed from the same spot as the shot above, and although freshwater crocodiles are not as large as their saltwater cousins, this one was at least 12 feet long

This 'Snake Bird' is actually a type of fish-eating Cormorant, the name coming from its appearance not diet. Here it is sunning and preening its wet wings