Enigmatic Charmer of Tadoba – Chota Matka

Tadoba Andhari Tiger reserve is world renowned for Tiger sighting. Tourist from around the world, come here to witness gods unique creation, the Tiger. There are many fabled tigers of Tadoba. However, the most recent in news is called Chota Matkasur by the locals.

Chota Matkasur was born in the core area to a tigress, called as Chhoti Tara, and a male known as Matkasur. This was some time back in 2017. He had another brother Tarachand, who unfortunately died because of electrocution along a electric fenced farm. Chota Matkasur known as CM became bold like his father and tried to make inroads into other areas of the core. He tried to mate with a famous tigress Maya. However, Maya had her cubs and did not acknowledge the pursuit. Ultimately for safety of the cubs sired with Maya, Matkasur decided and pushed his son CM out of the core area.

CM now wondered around the fringes of the park and ultimately settled in the buffer areas of Tadoba since 2020. He now lays claim to a large buffer area after defeating the dominant tiger called Mowgli. He defeated Mowgli in a pitched battle where he was badly injured and lost his upper lip. Mogli was nowhere to be seen after the battle and since then CM rule is supreme. Since his childhood he is very used to tourist vehicles and he doesn’t mind be in the showstopper and walk right in front of the tourist vehicles on the road .

It is believed his territory ranges from Navegaon gate in north to edge of the core Forest in South.
He is known to be a very active tiger who walks over over 20 to 25 km in just one night. He fiercely guards, his territory from other rogue males and ensures his Cubs thrive well. Few months ago, he was seen defending his territory from a rouge male call Bamboo Walla. This male is younger to CM, but almost equal in size. He hails from the territorial forest and seen frequently during night, safaris in the Navegaon buffer area. For now CM has subjugated this new male and continues to dominate the Navegaon offers.

In the tourism area, CM has three tigresses as his partners and is seen regularly with them and the cubs. It is strongly believed he could have more mates in the non-tourism area. Tigress take good care of the Cubs. However, CM is an exceptional father. Unlike other male tigers, he is known to share his kill with his mates and the cubs. In fact, he is known to abandon the kill so that the tigress and the cubs can feed till their bellies are full.

CM also kills cattle regularly along the edges of the forest and stays close to the villages on periphery of park. This behaviour could prove fatal, incase villagers decide to seek revenge. Revenge is a common phenomena specially when a tiger regularly lifts cattle from the farmers. It is an economic loss to the farmers who though compensated well by the forest department, try to get rid of problem for once and all.

The Spirit of wild has the attention of the rouge males, tourist and the locals. Just Hope that this show stopper does not meet an unfortunate end like his brother.