Each year on July 29, the world celebrates International Tiger Day. This day is to help everyone remember that tigers are in danger. Tigers are important animals, but they may disappear from the wild if we do not protect them.
In 2025, the problem is more serious. The total number of wild tigers that are still alive in the world is under 5,000. This small number is because of many problems. People are cutting down forests. Some people still hunt tigers. Also, animals and people now live too close together.
A long time ago, tigers lived in many countries in Asia. Now they live only in a few places. Their homes are broken into small parts. It is hard for them to live and grow.
This year, many people are talking about Tadoba National Park. It is in Maharashtra, India. The park has many forests and animals. Tigers live here. In this article, you will read real stories from the Tadoba jungle. The stories come from a man named Himanshu Bagde. This person knows the forest very well. He is not just a visitor, as he spends a lot of time in the forest and with the animals.
The stories in this article are not fast or exciting. These are stories about watching tigers from afar, learning about their life, and understanding them.
About Tadoba National Park
Tadoba National Park is in the eastern part of Maharashtra. This national park was made a long time ago and is among the oldest ones in India. The park is 1,727 square kilometers (approx.) large. It has a core area where no people live, and a buffer zone where animals and people live near each other.
Bengal tigers can be seen in Tadoba National Park, which is why it is well known. But it also has other animals. You can see Indian bison (gaur), wild dogs, sloth bears, leopards, and many birds.
The forest looks different in each season. In summer, trees are dry. The rainy season brings the greenery to this forest. In winter, the grass turns yellow and the sky is clear.
Many people come for a Tadoba safari to see tigers. But the forest is more than tigers. It is a place to learn how animals live, eat, and sleep. You can also see how animals live together. Even a footprint or scratch on a tree can tell a story.
A Tadoba safari helps people learn about nature. You can see how all animals and plants are connected. You cannot learn this in a zoo or a book; therefore, you must go to the forest.
Who Is Himanshu Bagde?
Himanshu Bagde is a naturalist. This means he studies forests and animals. He also works in wildlife tourism. He helps people learn about wild animals in the right way.
Himanshu has spent many years in Tadoba National Park. He walks in the forest, waits near waterholes, and watches tigers from afar. He does this in all seasons.
Himanshu does not take pictures just for fun. He watches tigers carefully and does not go too close, as it will scare them. He wants to understand how they live, where they go, and how they behave.
What makes Himanshu special is the way he treats animals. He respects them. He wants to show tigers as they really are calm, strong, and natural.
On Tiger Day 2025, Himanshu shared some of his tiger stories. These stories are about respect. They show the real life of tigers in Tadoba National Park.
Misunderstandings About Tigers
Many people think that tigers are dangerous and attack humans. Some movies and books show tigers in this way. But this is not true.
Himanshu explains that tigers do not want to be near people. Tigers like to live alone. They stay away from humans. They only attack when they feel afraid or trapped.
Even in Tadoba National Park, where many tourists come, tiger attacks are very rare. Tigers want to live in peace. During the daytime, they sleep quietly. At night, they hunt and live their lives in their own way.
But life is still hard for tigers. They have to protect their area from other tigers. Tiger mothers must protect their cubs. Sometimes, they do not find enough food. In some places, there are too few tigers, so they cannot have healthy babies. Their homes are also getting smaller because of farms, roads, and buildings.
Tigers look strong, but they face many dangers. Every day is difficult for them.
How Himanshu Takes Pictures Of Tigers
Many people might imagine that wildlife photography is fast and exciting. But Himanshu does not work like this as he believes in being quiet, waiting, and not disturbing the animals.
He thinks the best pictures happen when the animal is calm, so he never runs after animals. He does not make a sound or try to get too close and waits for a long time. Sometimes he waits for many hours.
This way, the tiger feels safe. The animal starts to behave normally. Himanshu becomes part of the forest.
Because of this, his pictures are very real. They show tigers walking, sitting, or stretching. These are normal moments, but they are special because they are true. Himanshu wants to show real life, not action.
Special Story Of Tigress Maya
One of the most well-known tigers in Tadoba National Park was a female tiger called Maya. People called her the Queen of Tadoba. She lived there for many years.
Himanshu watched Maya for a long time. He had seen her as a baby tiger and later as a powerful adult. Maya had many cubs. She took care of them and helped them grow.
Maya was not only strong but also smart. She used the forest well and avoided fights when she could. But she protected her cubs and her area when needed.
Himanshu learned many things from Maya. He saw that being strong is not always about fighting. It is also about being calm, making good choices, and staying safe.
Maya died some years ago. But people still remember her. Her cubs still live in the forest and her photos are still on the cameras in the park. Her life gave people many lessons.
Maya helped people understand tigers better. She showed that tigers are not bad. These are wild animals, and they just want to survive and continue their natural lives.
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