The Iconic Tigers Of India ( Pench Tiger Reserve )

As a wildlife enthusiast, there are certain moments that you will never forget. The first time you set foot into the wilderness, your first wildlife photograph or the time you witnessed a unique natural history moment. High up on this list is the first time you set your eyes on a tiger.

The stripes, the stealth and the captivating eyes—no matter how many times you see or photograph a tiger, it is impossible to subdue the awe that its presence draws. But there are tiger sightings and then there are TIGER SIGHTINGS! India’s national parks are home to several tigers that have marked their presence in their unique ways—Machali–The Tiger Queen of Ranthambore, Bamera–The Hulking Giant of Bandhavgarh, and Backwater Female–The Star of Kabini, to name a few. More recently, the death of the legendary 'super mum' tigress Collarwali saw an outpouring of grief in the wildlife fraternity, a testament to her popularity.

What makes these tigers unique? Why are some more memorable than others? This International Tiger Day, we pose these questions to wildlife photographers, filmmakers, biologists, conservationists and naturalists, asking them to share stories about some of their favourite tigers. These stories reveal an underlying passion for the wilderness and for the striped cats. But beyond that, they reveal how mesmerising these big cats are. Hop on, as this is going to be a truly wild safari.