Tigress with cubs at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Tigress with cubs at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

I remember on 16th December 2010 in the afternoon safari ,we were the first tourists at Mohurli Range to see Madhuri with a cub very near to the main road in the afternoon safari . I was with Samir Sheikh and Kailash . After taking the cub along with her for about 50 meters she sent the cub back in the undergrowth and walked to the nearest water body in vicinity. Later on I was informed that all the 3 cubs were killed by Wagdoh male as the earlier were sired by Tedhi Poonchh (Broken Tail ).

Again we happen to see her in April 2012 with 4 cubs in the Moharli Range. This time father was Wagdoh male. She gave birth to 4 females known as Sonam , Lara , Geetan and Mona. Madhuri was ousted from her prime zone by her daughter Sonam and moved to Devada Buffer Zone. Her lover Wagdoh could not bear the separation from her beloved and he too came to the Buffer Zone.

Tigeress with cubs at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

In her 3rd litter she gave birth to 4 cubs in 2014 and I saw the entire family on 3rd and 4th March 2015 in the buffer Zone . During her 4th (in 2016) and 5th litter( December 2017 ) she again gave birth to 4 cubs respectively. Hence the total of 19 cubs from 2010 to 2017.

As per the latest information from the park it is gathered that Madhuri had a fierce fight with Sharmili when she got some injury. As the luck would have it all the 4 cubs are safe. Madhuri (Dream Mom of Tadoba ) who is about 12 years old and has some more years for at least 2 more litters.

Images from Taboba in April 2012.

About Vinod Goel

He joined Customs & Central Excise service in 1982. As a civil servant, his job takes him to various parts of India, which gave him an opportunity to capture our wild heritage, through his camera. His passion for wildlife photography started in 2004 when he was posted at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and this passion continues till today.