Tadoba National Park, also known as Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, is a popular wildlife sanctuary located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India. The park is spread over an area of 625.4 square kilometres and is home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna.
Tadoba Reserve is considered to be a lifeline for tigers, as it has one of the highest tiger densities in India. As per the last census conducted in 2020, the park is estimated to have around 88 tigers, which is an increase from the 2018 count of 76 tigers. The park is also home to other animals such as leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackals, and various species of deer and antelope.
The park's landscape is characterized by hills, lakes, and dense forests of teak and bamboo, which provide a suitable habitat for the tigers and other wildlife. The park also has a rich birdlife with over 200 species of birds, including the endangered species like the Indian pitta, the grey-headed fishing eagle, and the crested serpent eagle. Apart from wildlife, the national park also has a rich cultural heritage, with the presence of several tribal communities such as Gond and Madia who have been living in the area for generations.
Tadoba National Park offers visitors an opportunity to observe and appreciate the natural beauty of the region while also contributing to the conservation of tigers and their habitat. The park has several eco-tourism initiatives that are managed by the local communities, providing livelihoods while also creating awareness about the need to protect the environment and wildlife. Some of the well-known tigers that have been spotted in Tadoba National Park in the past include Maya, Matkasur, Bajrang, Choti Tara, and Sonam. It's important to note that wildlife populations can fluctuate, and the specific tigers currently living in the park may have changed since then.
Here we list some of the popular Royal Bengal tiger spotted in Tadoba tiger Reserve include:
1. Tiger Maya - The most popular big cat in the entire tadoba reserve is Maya, also known as the Queen of Tadoba. Presently, Tiger Maya is called to be the ruler of the Tadoba forest.
2. King Matkasur - Tiger Matkasur is the present ruler of Tadoba and the most dominant cat in the forest. He is also connected with Maya as he has fathered her third litter. Generally, tigers do not take part in the rearing process but Matkasur seems to be an exception in Tadoba National Park.
3. The Gabbar - Gabbar or Scarface is another aggressive male tiger of TATR. He is most popularly known for the scars he has on his face. Basically, there are two versions of the incident – one recalls Gabbar having fierce territorial fight with another male tiger. And the second reason probably suggests that a struggle occurred between him and a gaur whose horn left Gabbar with limited sight.
In nutshell, Tadoba National Park is an important sanctuary for tigers and a significant contributor to wildlife conservation in India.
