Get off my patch! How two tigers left with their tails between their legs after being scared off by a protective mother bear

By Daily Mail Reporter


Having a bad bear day: A tiger comes face to face with one angry mother bear on the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India


It's not often that two ferocious tigers have to beat a hasty retreat from a confrontation.

But it seems that the wrath of a mother bear protecting two cubs on her back was more than enough to scare this pair off.

Wildlife photographer Aditya Singh captured the encounter during a visit to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India.


At first, one tiger crept towards the bear which was drinking from a watering hole and looked ready to pounce.

Just in the nick of time, the bear spotted the big cat and immediately went on the defensive, bounding towards it.

Another tiger then leapt towards the mother bear - but quickly scampered off after she let out an almighty roar.

Mr Singh, 45, who lives on the outskirts of the reserve and visits daily, said he was stunned as he watched the battle unfold.

He said: 'The mother bear was coming from a waterhole and heading across the plateau completely unaware of the tigers.

Wild thing: The bear raises on its hind legs to scare off one of two tigers that tried to attack at a watering hole in a nature reserve


'The tigress saw them first and instantly she started stalking towards the bear.

'Bears and tigers are two large powerful animals which normally try to avoid each other. But the bear had her cubs with her and so she felt threatened. That's why she charged towards the tiger.

'I suppose the protective mother decided that attack was the best form of defence.

'I was there photographing tigers but I definitely didn't expect to see a
confrontation like this, particularly so close. They were only about 80 to 100 metres away and in clear sight.

'There were a few other jeeps and visitors there but there was just a stunned silence the whole time. At the end most of started clapping and some were cheering for the bear.

Earn your stripes: The tiger backs down as the mother bear goes on the defensive


'The atmosphere was certainly charged. All I could hear was my heart beating and the camera shutter.

Mr Singh added: 'It's a rare thing to see. I don't think more than a 100 people would have ever seen a bear and tiger face off in the wild.

'And I don't think anyone has seen a bear with two cubs on her back facing off with two tigers. It's certainly not something I've managed to photograph before.

'Even while it was happening I knew what we were seeing was a once in a lifetime affair.'


source:dailymail