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Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Times
Tiger tiger… India's most luxurious new safari lodge burns bright
It was one of those #tellmewithouttellingme moments that showed I was in tiger country. I was on my way to Bandhavgarh, a wildlife sanctuary and national park in the Madhya Pradesh region of central India, and the traffic on the two-lane bridge ahead was jammed. Motorbikes, cars and buses blocked the road. Oblivious to the furious honking of those wanting to pass, dozens of locals stood by the wayside recording the adjoining grassland on their mobile phones. Women in saris, many with their faces hidden by the drape, several carrying children, stood excitedly pointing at something. No one was paying heed to the lone forest guard, much less his attempt to restore order — 'don't get off your vehicles', 'keep moving', 'don't stop'. 'Fools,' said my driver, exasperated. 'There's this tigress that frequents the area and she charges at people when irritated.' As if on cue, we heard a low guttural growl that clearly meant: 'Leave me alone.' The rebellious (and reckless) crowd would have none of it. The cacophony only grew louder as the adult tigress, an impressive representative of her kind, stepped out of the tall grass into full view. At about four feet from paw to shoulder, and seven feet from head to tail, she was a muscular ambassador for India's tiger conservation success story, and of Bandhavgarh's role in it. There are approximately 5,574 wild tigers remaining in the world, according to the Global Tiger Forum, and more than 66 per cent of them (3,682) can be found in India. The reserve is home to 135, and density is high — 7.5 tigers per 100 sq km, according to a 2023 Indian government report. It has more individuals than the smaller and more popular Ranthambore reserve in neighbouring Rajasthan, which has 57 (though 9.6 animals per 100 sq km). Also to Bandhavgarh's advantage is its flat, deciduous scrubland, which ensures sightings are plentiful and often easy, such as the one I enjoyed even before arriving at my tiger-spotting safari destination: the new Oberoi Vindhyavilas hotel. Thankfully, the feline decided not to live up to her reputation, choosing instead to disappear behind a veil of sal (a type of hardwood) trees and tall bamboo. • India's best safaris As I drove up to the entrance of the Vindhyavilas, the thick foliage screening the property parted to reveal a squat structure with traditional terracotta-tiled sloping roofs, then large hand-carved wooden doors featuring motifs borrowed from the tattoo artwork of the local Gond community, a native tribe of forest dwellers. The Oberoi Group, which operates 22 hotels and resorts in India, has changed its stripes for this light and airy hotel, doing away with its usual gilt and brocade in favour of a rustic chic look. Inside, there is more tribal art: a relief wall showed a ceremonial procession of the Baiga (another of the region's tribes) and lamps of burnished metal hang from a vaulted ceiling. Dark woods, muted shades of textiles and lustrous leather reminded me of safari lodges in Kenya and Tanzania, and cubbyholed partitions held studio pottery, wooden deer heads and potted plants. The tiger, Bandhavgarh's emblem, is pictured via the paintings of a local artist, embossed on brass dinnerware and printed on lampshades. Sweeping views are of tall waving grasses, towering trees and a lake with lotuses and fountains beside the pool (there's a spa and gym too). • More great wildlife holiday ideas I headed straight to the restaurant for a late lunch of khichdi, a sumptuous dish of rice and lentils with yoghurt and pickled vegetables, then curled up for a nap in my luxurious glass-walled tent-like structure (actually a building with canvas over the top) — one of 19, each with its own private garden and sun deck. There are two villas too. I needed a rest ahead of my few days of game drives, which generally start at 5.30am and last for five hours, and run again in the afternoons — another four hours. That evening I ate at the Bush Kitchen, outside by the lake, where the gentle breeze, the rustle of trees, the chirping of crickets and the 'ribbits' of frogs soothed and refreshed me further. If you're a safari newbie, especially in India, entering a tiger reserve can feel like a feat of endurance. Rickety, mini 4×4 SUVs, manufactured by the Indian company Maruti Suzuki, line up at the entrances. The sun has just about risen and birds are out for breakfast. Forest guards in charge of protecting the reserve check tickets. And when the gates open drivers race each other on dirt tracks to get to where forest department trackers have spotted animals. The landscape is rugged, with bumpy tracks leading over hills and through thick jungle. As someone with a chronic back ailment, I found the Oberoi's souped-up Mahindra 4×4 SUVs a game changer, and much more comfortable. • Where to go in India Less comfortable is the summer heat, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s, but so be it: this is the best season for tiger spotting, a time when animals park themselves near watering holes. The alarm calls of birds, deer and monkeys are the best indicators a tiger or leopard is nearby, though the screech of a jungle fowl from behind tall grass turned out to signal a sloth bear digging for termites. On one afternoon drive, as we swept past a rancid pool, our guide did a sharp turn and braked to a halt. As the dust settled, what he was pointing to, about 500m away, came into focus. A tiger, half hidden under a tree. Suddenly the head lifted to examine us; the ears twitched. Then the tail rose like an antenna. It was an 18-month-old, only recently separated from his mother. He decided we were no threat and rolled over with his belly to the sky to snooze in the shade. He looked an adorable furball, but then I remembered seeing tigers bring down sambhar swamp deer with a swoop of their paws, and the occasion I witnessed a tigress clashing with her former mate, leaving his jaw hanging by a sinew. Bandhavgarh is part of a network of tiger reserves, including Panna (with 79 animals) in the north, Kanha (360) to the south and Satpura (149) to the west, so if you're coming to the area — which is six hours' drive south of Delhi, or just over four from the closer regional airport at Jabalpur — you could plan to tour a couple, as well as the nearby Unesco world heritage site of Khajuraho, with its 11th-century Hindu and Jain temples. On my second morning I joined Soulin Chakraborty, Vindhyavilas's lead naturalist, on a birding walk around the 21-acre property, home to up to 65 species, depending on the season. We saw green bee-eaters, jungle babblers, plum-headed parakeets, black-hooded orioles, an Indian grey hornbill and the rare Jerdon's leafbird, and about a dozen types of butterfly. • Discover our full guide to safari holidays The abundance is thanks to the carpets of fountain grass, sal, arjun, mango and mohua trees, endemic species planted here. In summer locals ferment the mohua's flowers and brew into a heady liquor that has the herbaceousness of gin and the sharpness of tequila, versions of which are fast becoming a favourite of India's top mixologists. Surprisingly, the Oberoi's own cocktails don't use this ingredient, though others play on local lore. For instance Kaa, the python from Jungle Book (which was inspired by the jungles of central India), is transformed into a tequila-based drink called the Rock Python, using a homemade elderflower syrup. Charger, a dark rum cocktail, pays homage to one of Bandhavagarh's most famous tigers, and the refreshing non-alcoholic, thyme-flavoured Brahmi is named after an ancient script carved into caves within the forest. This region of Madhya Pradesh is called Bagelkhand and has its own distinct language and cuisine. The hotel's executive chef Sachin Kumar spent time with a local royal family's cooks, and several of their recipes have been incorporated into the hotel's repertoire: a fiery red amaranth stir-fry with a lentil and yoghurt curry, and jungli maas, a traditional preparation of red meat slow cooked with ghee, red chillies, onions and garlic. There are other cuisines too: chicken schnitzel, braised pork belly and Neapolitan-style pizzas straight from the oven that had the kids on a neighbouring table stuffing their faces. The dish I savoured most was butternut squash with a cashew cream; roasted just enough to be cooked through without losing its juiciness. On my last afternoon safari drive, as we sat watching a tigress dozing in a pool, it occurred to me that it wasn't just the tiger sightings that had made my three days here memorable. It was the thoughtful touches that usually make or break a stay. Earplugs by the bedside. The mini menu in the airport transfer vehicle so you can order your lunch or dinner even before you've checked in. It's that kind of service that makes a stay like this Ramamurthy was a guest of Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, which has all-inclusive doubles from £590 ( Fly to Delhi This eight-night private tour visits three of central India's national parks to spot the tiger and some of the country's other animals and birds including the sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, black kite and the almost-extinct swamp deer. After a night in Delhi, you'll spend two nights in Bandhavgarh National Park, three in a lodge in Kanha National Park, home to about 125 tigers and 100 leopards, and two in Pench National Park. Up to 11 game drives are included along the way, and you will be joined by a naturalist for extra insight. Details Eight nights' B&B from £3,645pp, including internal flights, transfers, excursions and most extra meals ( Fly to Delhi It's no easy feat to set eyes on one of the world's rarest big cats. This escorted group trip to Ladakh in India's far northwest includes four nights in the region's capital Leh, plus six nights staying in a remote mountain guesthouse in the Ulley Valley. This new guesthouse has comfortable rooms but basic facilities including shared bathrooms. The region is home to ten snow leopards and expert local guides will maximise your chances of spotting one. The tour concludes with two nights in Delhi, including a trip to Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary. Details Twelve nights' B&B from £4,795pp, including flights, transfers, excursions and most extra meals ( The endangered red panda lives mainly in the trees of the temperate Eastern Himalayan forests. This private tailored tour includes four full days searching for this hard-to-spot mammal, staying in a cosy homestay in the Singalila National Park and eating local dishes with the host family. Expert guides will lead daily excursions in the surrounding forests and mountains looking for red pandas while spotting other animals like the Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and exotic bird life. A night in a Delhi hotel is included before and after the tour, and an optional extension to explore Darjeeling can be Seven nights' B&B from £2,200pp, including flights and transfers ( Fly to Delhi
The Independent
20-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Indian tigress dies after long battle with bone cancer
One of India 's most iconic wild tigers, Arrowhead of Ranthambore, has died after a long battle with illness, shortly after her daughter was relocated following fatal attacks. Arrowhead, also called Lady of the Lake for her crocodile hunting skills, was found dead near Jogi Mahal in the Ranthambore reserve in western India on Thursday. She was around 14 years old. The tigress, officially designated T-84, had reportedly suffered from a bone tumour. She had stopped eating on Monday and appeared extremely thin and weak in her final video. An autopsy confirmed multiple organ failure. Forest officials cremated her body following National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols, with a gathering of wardens, wildlife photographers, and local conservationists present. The tigress, named for the distinct arrow-shaped mark on her cheek, was known for her fierce independence and unusual hunting skills, including eating crocodiles. Just days before her death, she was reportedly seen taking down a crocodile near Padam Talab, in a powerful echo of her grandmother, Machhli, Ranthambore's most famous big cat and original 'crocodile hunter.' Arrowhead's final moments were captured by Sachin Rai, a wildlife photographer who had tracked her since she was a cub. 'It was heartbreaking to see her struggle, attempting to rise and take a few feeble steps before collapsing again,' he wrote in a post accompanying video footage. 'Eventually, she reached a tree and lay beneath it. In that quiet moment, I knew in my heart that the end was near.' Arrowhead was the daughter of tigress Krishna and had inherited a prime territory in the reserve around Padam Talab. She raised ten cubs from four litters, and six of them survive her. She had several confrontations with male tigers over the years and even her own daughter, Riddhi, who eventually displaced her. Arrowhead's death came just hours after another of her daughters, Kankati, was tranquilised and relocated to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. Kankati had recently been involved in fatal attacks on a forest ranger and a 7-year-old child. 'It is a disheartening coincidence that she passed away on the same day when her daughter was being shifted,' field director Anoop K R said, according to the Hindustan Times. Arrowhead's death sparked an outpouring of tributes. Ranthambore's Instagram account posted: 'She was a symbol of grace, strength and motherly spirit.' Mr Rai echoed the sentiment, calling her 'a true tigress in every sense'. 'Arrowhead was a symbol of wild grace, of power tempered by patience, of survival against all odds,' he said. For many in India's wildlife conservation community, Arrowhead's death marks the end of an era – another link to Machhli lost. Her legacy, though, is being carried forward by the next generation of big cats.
South China Morning Post
15-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
China zoo visitors slammed for ‘lucky' tiger hair pulling, warned against provoking beast
A group of tourists who pulled out the hair of a tiger at a zoo in China, thinking it would ward off evil spirits, have sparked outrage online. On June 8, a viral video showed several visitors at a zoo in Liaoning province, northeastern China, pulling hair from the big cat's belly and tail through a metal fence. The incident took place in a special zone where tigers often rest on top of a steel viewing tunnel. In the video, one of the tourists, a woman, is heard saying: 'Let's pull more! Tiger hair keeps evil away and protects the home.' A video of the incident shows tourists plucking tufts of hair from the big cat through a metal fence. Photo: handout A couple of fellow visitors each grab small tufts of hair, and some tie them to their handbags.
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebrities in new series Shark! taught by diving instructor with missing limbs
The celebrities were said to be taking a big risk as they swam with ever-increasing sized sharks in the Bahamas in a new ITV series to mark the 50th anniversary of Jaws The seven celebrities who agreed to swim with sharks in an ITV series which marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, were taught to dive by an instructor with missing limbs. The seven stars - who all admit to being scared of the sea - were Call the Midwife's Helen George, comedians Sir Lenny Henry and Ross Noble, Countdown's Rachel Riley, McFly's Dougie Poynter, Amandaland's Lucy Punch and TV presenter Ade Adepitan. All have now returned from filming Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters with their lives intact, but were constantly reminded of the dangers involved by their Australian instructor - who was missing an arm and a leg, courtesy of a tiger shark. For the five-part series, due to start next month, the celebs were challenged to confront their greatest fear and flown to the island on Bimini in the Bahamas, home to around 10 different species of shark. Once there, they took the plunge together alongside hammerhead, bull and tiger sharks. While there is no voting or elimination process in the show, the dives got progressively harder, with each involving a bigger and tougher breed of shark, and the celebrities were allowed to sit out if they felt overwhelmed. One insider said: 'The sharks they were free diving with were definitely dangerous and they were shocked when they realised what had happened to the expert, who'd had an arm and a leg bitten off.' Despite the series being shown as tribute to half a century since the Oscar-winning Jaws was released in 1975, the 'ocean-phobic' stars did not attempt to recreate the movie scenes. 'There were no Great Whites involved in the making of this show,' the source said. 'But it was not for the faint-hearted, that's for sure. Some were more scared than others.' Viewers will have to wait to see if any of the stars sustained injuries during the making of the programme, which was filmed last year. Yesterday presenter Rachel said that taking part was a 'dream come true' adding: 'It was the best trip, the best experience, the best everything, of my life.' Describing it as 'wet and wild' she added: 'Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is a totally new type of entertainment show, with so much integrity and a love of sharks and conservation at its heart. And with the best bunch of people you could hope to work with.' The mum-of-two said she'd first been asked to take part a year ago. 'They said we're thinking of sending some celebrities out to the Bahamas for a few weeks to swim with some of the biggest, scariest wild sharks in the world.' Helen agreed that it had been brilliant, saying: 'One of the most insane experiences of my life, learning about this incredible creatures, with equally incredible humans.' Ross described it as a 'great adventure' and quipped: 'No, it's not a wind up, it's a real thing.' And pop star Dougie marvelled that it was the closest he'd ever get to a 'real Jurassic Park experience'. ITV entertainment boss Katie Rawcliffe said audiences should enjoy the combination of blue chip natural history programming with ITV's skill at entertainment, and called the famous faces taking part 'some of the bravest celebrities out there'. Karen Plumb, of Plimsoll Productions, said the aim was to give viewers a new perspective on sharks. 'We're constantly looking for innovative approaches to wildlife storytelling and are certain that our fish-out-of-water spin – delivering 50 years after Jaws – will transform the world's perception of these critical predators before it's too late.'
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger recovers after ingrown toenail procedure
A 17-stone (110kg) tiger is recovering after a successful operation to remove an ingrown toenail at Yorkshire Wildlife a 15-year-old Amur tiger, received the 15-minute procedure after staff at the park in Doncaster noticed she was limping and seemed sensitive on one veterinary team injected her with a short-lasting general anaesthetic to allow them to clip off the troublesome claw. Tschuna will briefly be kept away from visitors at the attraction while she fully recovered, with the procedure stopping discomfort and preventing infection. Dr Charlotte MacDonald, park director of animals, said: "Tschuna came back round relatively quickly and should have a speedy recovery, though she probably has a bit of a headache from the anaesthetic."She'll hopefully be back to her playful self again very quickly." Bex Brown, park head of carnivores, said they usually try to avoid having to use anaesthetic."Trying to trim it would have caused her pain, so she wouldn't have allowed us to do that - and leaving it would have been painful and uncomfortable for her," she said."Because we don't sedate them often at all, it was a good opportunity to give her a full MOT while she was asleep."Tschuna arrived at the park in 2013 as part of an international breeding Brown described Tschuna as "a princess", adding: "If we present her food she often puts the food on her other paw rather than off the ground." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
