Navegaon Buffer – Battlefield of the fittest

“Battles don’t determine who losses or wins but who survives”

This seems to be the most apt quote on battles fought not just by humans but also by  tigers. On northern fringes of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is an area called as Navegaon buffer comprising of deep ravines and dense Bamboo, Jamun, Mango and Arjun forest. The ruler of this area is fighting such battle on regular basis, his name is Chota Matkasur (CM). His territory compromises of entire Navegaon buffer and some area of core. 

In buffer, CM has three queens siring his cubs, namely Bhanu, Bhabli and Zharni. Zharni happens to be oldest amongst the lot. There is also a mysterious sub-adult female who moves slyly along on the edge of buffer eluding any gypsy in search of her. She is also daughter of Zharni and Mowgli but rarely seen and seems to be the 4^th mate of CM. More about her in later blogs.

In animal world perils of been tolerant tiger are extremely high. Tigers are territorial cats, they guard there territory  fiercely and are intolerant towards any unrelated tiger. They will go to extent of killing themselves in battle to protect – territory, female and cubs. CM has already vanquished once dominant ruler of Tadoba by name of Bajrang. Bajrang was dominant male of Moharli core and buffers. In battles of dominance Bajrang was exiled from his territory by younger males and in December 2022 and he silently moved to extremities of Navegaon buffer before trying to re-enter core. In summers of 2022, Bajrang was seen in core alongside Rudra, Balram and Mowgli. Bajrang couldn’t hold ground in core and with nowhere to go Bajrang returned to Navegaon buffers of Tadoba in November 2023. Though experienced and bulky in size he was killed by CM in short fought battle over cattle kill. Age factored played in as CM is in his peak.

In recent past, a mysterious male known as Bamboowala Male (seen during night safari) from terriotorial forest had tussle on eastern front of Navegaon buffer with CM. He is as big as CM in size but lacks experience. He was thrawted by CM and pushed back. This was sometime in beginning of end of January/early February 2024.  This wasn’t the first time that Bamboowala tried to intrude into CM territory. However, in this battle CM got badly injured and wasn’t seen for almost 2 weeks only to resurface limping badly. 

It was in his absence when Tala and Mowgli tried to make in-roads. Tala, brother of Rudra, is part of tag team who outsed Matkasur from core few years ago. However neither could hold on to core territory and Tala became a nomad. Tala on his nomadic excursion entered CM area and believed to have engaged in skirmish with CM before injuring recovering CM and leaving buffer. This was in Feb 2024. Unconfirmed rumours of Tala moving in again come from Jogamoga/Daldali area and skirmish with Zharni is evident from puncture wounds of Zharni. Zharni is veteran and pushed Tala back and moved her cubs to the ravines of Ramdegi in Chimur hills. Second threat to Zharni and her cubs comes from Bamboowala as his territory is in close proximity to Zharni area. Daldali area becomes the area of contention. Hopefully we will know more about Bamboowala male once the Shedgaon safaris become operational.

Mowgli was pushed back by brave Bhanu and one of her male cub in Feb 2024. However he made his intentions clear when finished the left overs of sambar deer kill made by Bhanu. As heard from eye witnesses, the female cub Nayantara made run  for her life during this battle while the other male cub watched his mother and brother fight from distance. Bhau seems to be fine and the injured cub is recovering well.

Babli seems to be the tigress in trouble. Her territory comprises of Navegaon meadows of core and eastern front of Navegaon buffer. She too seems to have puncture marks and one of her cubs was seen limping/malnourished. She seems to be taking onslaught of Tala, Mowgli from core and possibly Bamboowala at edge of territory in buffers.

As result of movement of these intruders, Zharni and Bhanu have secured there cubs to the densest part of buffer in Northern fringes. Babli doesn’t seem to be having much scope. The cubs are frequently seen and at leisure if you enter the buffer from Nimdhela/Ramdegi gate. The update as on date is that, CM is recovering well thanks to his warrior queens ability to defend themselves against intruders.

With reducing forest cover and holding capacity of park to its brim, the real problem for CM is yet to start. In few months from now the male cubs (5) of CM from all three queens will become independent and start asserting themselves. This will be challenging for CM. What will he do? Fight the intruders or shove off his own cubs? That’s exactly what legendary Matkasur did when CM tried to assert his dominance, carve territory in Matka area and mate with Maya. Whatever the case, each of these wild spirits will be damned to prove themselves in these battles – The battle of survival of the fittest.