Courageous Mother Bear Defends Cub from Tiger
September 30, 2024- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, situated in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, is the state's oldest and largest national park, established in 1955. The reserve hosts a diverse range of wildlife, including several ferocious species. Tourists on safaris are often drawn by the opportunity to witness wildlife interactions, which can vary from peaceful to aggressive, making such encounters a key attraction of the park.
A viral video from Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve captures a dramatic scene where a mother bear bravely protects her cub from a tiger. The footage, shared on Instagram by Jalpa Trivedi Shah, shows the mother bear fearlessly confronting the tiger to protect her young offspring. The video begins with the bear holding its ground, refusing to retreat despite the danger, representing the motherly instincts even in wild animals. While the cub stays close in visible fear, it relies on its mother for protection. Although the tiger initially attempts to retaliate, the bear persistently outmanoeuvres it, eventually forcing the tiger to retreat.
As Shah attaches the caption to her Instagram reel: “Watch as a fearless mother bear rises to protect her cub from Chota Matka, the dominant male tiger in Tadoba Tiger Reserve. To everyone’s surprise, the tiger turns tail and runs!” it clearly depicts the bravery of the mother bear.
The video post has tailed with numerous comments, with one user stating, “Mother is God when it comes to saving her child,” and another adding, “What an epic sight.” Several users highlighted how uncommon and rewarding it is to observe such encounters, especially between tigers and sloth bears.