Page 86 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #10

PHOTO STORY TIGERS

BATH TIME
Ranthambore NP, Rajasthan, India
Three cubs follow their mother
into a watering hole. Tigers are
mostly solitary creatures, apart
from females raising their young.
The big cats typically have two
to four ofspring every two
years. The youngsters will gain
independence at two years and
reach sexual maturity between
the ages of three and five.
Photo Jami Tarris

LONE RANGER

Bandhavgarh NP,
Madhya Pradesh, India
At first light a male moves
silently through the park in
search of prey. As an apex
predator he influences the
ecosystem: protecting tigers
benefits other species.
Photo Bjorn Persson

86 BBC Wildlife October 2018