King of the Watering Hole

It was a scorching hot afternoon at Jim Corbett National Park. After a morning safari with no sightings but deer, we turned our hopes to the Jhirna Zone. The safari began at around two o’clock in the afternoon. We searched for hours before we decided to wait at one of the few waterholes in this zone. The air was filled with tension and excitement as multiple Gypsys gathered to witness an elusive big cat. With only half an hour remaining, our hope weakened, and excitement was replaced by disappointment. Some Gypsys began to leave, but we stood still. Just as all hope was lost, two piercing orange eyes appeared in the dense foliage. In the final moments of the safari, a massive male tiger walked out from the bushes. As he lowered his head for the water, his muscles rippled, making the seemingly large pond seem small under his reflection. Unfortunately, time was against us, and with only a few minutes left, the Gypsys were forced to leave. As the engines roared, the shy male tiger retreated into the lush green forest. Although our sighting of the tiger was short, we returned to the hotel fulfilled.

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