A week before the end of August 2025, Chhota Matka (T-126), a tiger, had been rescued by the forest department team as per NTCA protocols in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. He was found badly hurt on 27 August 2025 in the Khadsangi Range, a buffer zone of the park. Chhota Matka is a famous tiger often seen during the Tadoba safari.
This rescue shows that wild animals also face danger and need care. The forest department, doctors, and Rapid Response Teams worked quickly to help him. Many people who love going on Tadoba safaris were already watching his updates, so the news spread fast.
Who Is Chhota Matka (T-126)?
Chhota Matka, officially called Tiger T-126, is one of the most popular tigers in Tadoba National Park. He got this name because he is the son of another famous male tiger named Matkasur, who was also a strong and dominant tiger in Tadoba. Over the years, Chhota Matka became known as a strong and confident tiger. He made his territory in different areas of the forest, and many tourists were lucky to see him during the Tadoba safari.
Many wildlife photographers, forest officers, and tourists spoke about him because he was very big and active. Large tigers are very essential in forest areas. A healthy male tiger controls its territory and also stops smaller males from disturbing the balance of the forest. This helps prey animals like deer, gaur, and wild boar live safely.
But even strong tigers face problems. In the wild, survival depends on hunting, strength, and sometimes fighting with other tigers. Chhota Matka also faced these challenges. His biggest problem came in May 2025 when he had a serious fight with another tiger. This fight changed his life and later led to the rescue operation in August 2025.
The Territorial Fight
On 12–13 May 2025, a fight took place in Tadoba National Park between Chhota Matka (T-126) and another tiger, T-158. Such fights are common in tiger areas. Every male tiger wants to control the land that has food, water, and space. This territory is also important because it allows them to mate with tigresses. If another male enters the area, the resident tiger will try to push him out.
The fight between T-126 and T-158 was very violent. Although Chhota Matka killed T-158, it had suffered very severe injuries. He received deep wounds on his body, and his ability to walk and hunt became weak. Later, forest guards and safari guides noticed that his movements were slow and painful.
For a wild tiger, being injured is very dangerous. Tigers must have the strength to catch fast-moving prey like wild boars and sambar deer. If they cannot hunt, they may starve. Injured tigers may also move closer to villages to look for cattle, which can create human-wildlife conflict. This made the situation of Chhota Matka very serious in the months after the fight.
Rescue Operation
By August 2025, it was quite obvious to the forest department that Chhota Matka was not able to recover properly. His health was getting worse. So, the officials decided to rescue him for treatment.
On 27 August 2025, a rescue was made in Compartment No. 51, Khadsangi Range (buffer zone) of Tadoba National Park. A Rapid Response Team was sent with experienced officers, veterinary doctors, and tranquilising experts. The team found Chhota Matka and made a careful plan to avoid giving him too much stress.
The tiger was given a tranquiliser injection so that he became unconscious for a short time. After he was calm, the staff checked his condition. Then they lifted him onto a stretcher and placed him into a rescue vehicle. From there, he was taken to the Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Chandrapur. All procedures used in the rescue followed the Standard Operating Procedures of the NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority).
The rescue was done with great care. Operations like this are always risky because tigers are very strong even when injured. But the training of the Tadoba staff and their past experience helped them make the mission successful.
Where Is The Tiger Now?
After the rescue, Chhota Matka was taken to the Transit Treatment Centre in Chandrapur, which is near Tadoba National Park. Here, special veterinary doctors started his treatment immediately. They cleaned his wounds, gave him medicines, and monitored his condition closely.
The Transit Treatment Centre is a safe place for injured animals. Here, Chhota Matka does not need to hunt for food. He is given proper food, water, and medical care. This makes recovery faster and reduces stress on his body. The doctors will continue to monitor him for weeks or even months to see if his wounds heal fully.
Right now, nobody knows if Chhota Matka will be able to return to the wild. His release will depend on how well he recovers. If he becomes strong again, he may go back to Tadoba National Park. But if he stays weak, he may have to live under human care permanently. For now, the most important thing is that he is safe and not struggling in the forest.
Why Was The Rescue Done?
The rescue of Chhota Matka was not only about saving one popular tiger. It was also about following the rules of NTCA and protecting both people and wildlife.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This tells forest officials what to do when a tiger is injured, sick, or creating danger for human settlements. In this case, a technical committee studied the situation of T-126. They saw that he was badly injured and not fit to survive in the wild. They also knew that an injured tiger could start attacking cattle or even humans, which could create human-tiger conflict.
After studying all points, the committee decided that the tiger should be tranquilised and shifted to a treatment centre. On 27 August 2025, the official order was given, and the rescue was carried out. This decision saved the life of Chhota Matka and also reduced the risk for villagers living near Tadoba National Park.
This rescue shows that Tadoba authorities are alert and ready to act quickly when needed. It also shows that tiger conservation is not only about increasing numbers but also about the health of each individual animal. For tourists who go on the Tadoba safari, the rescue of Chhota Matka is a reminder that tiger protection needs full-time work, careful planning, and commitment.
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