Slightly inspired by Andy Rouse's highly commended in WPOTY a couple of years ago. This is a normal crowd at a Tiger sighting in Bandhavgargh, good to see the new vehicle limitations are working. I could not get all the vehicles in as there were some behind us 22 in all. What makes this all the more remarkable is that the Tiger suspected of being in the area was seen over 6 hours before.
EOS 1D MkII
70-200mm F2.8
F2, ISO 400, 1/800
Last edited by Ken Watkins; 05-24-2011 at 08:50 AM.
Good thing is that they are all in their cars and on a road. All my tiger watching in Indian forests was in early 90s in reserves that allowed walking at the time. Believe me, I have seen a lot of irresponsible behavior from tourists from all over the world.
I have not been to every reserve so I am not making any claims, but I have been to Bandhavgrah twice and it certainly has not improved.
Kaustubh,
There is as you say plenty of irresponsible behaviour even in the so called "up-market" lodges in Botswana, although there it is just endless talking (loudly) and impatience. The Mara is much the same if not worse.
Dave
Thanks, my intention was not to put people off, rather a small warning of what you may get. We talked to a lot of people who were very dissapointed.
Ken, what I was saying was that if these folks were not in these vehicles, they'd be wandering on their own, on foot and in their own vehicles, all over the jungles. In a way, it is good that the parks are controlling all that now. Am sure the balance between preservation and revenue that comes from tourists....is a a tricky one to strike.
Tigers don't have "all the fun". Africa, Tanzania, Serengeti, Feb 2011. A lone leopard caused this 14 or so vehicle jam. (10 here, about 4 more other side of me) - Tom
Last edited by Tom Graham; 05-27-2011 at 01:07 AM.
I have more worse pictures of than this of so called WELL MANAGED African parks Ken , Drives driving vehicles very close to Lions ( less than 1 meter ) and doing more worse than these
Best thing is to look at better side than worse which I generally do anywhere I go
big cats all across globe are in facing same JAMS
Last edited by Harshad Barve; 05-29-2011 at 03:44 PM.
I spent a week in Kruger National Park and only had one "lion jam" out of MANY encounters with several different prides. I went just before the World Cup and it still seemed liked I had the park to myself!
Glad to see so many people have the same passion for wildlife. I've run into a few tourists though where I wouldn't of minded them being put on the bottom of the food chain... at least it would make for a good photo op!
I guess it is up to the guides and park rangers to ensure as much as possible they don't impact the animals. I see the dilema though, you have people paying thousands of dollars for these safaris and if the guide says "No we are not going to see the leapord/lions/tigers etc because there are already x amount of vehicles there" I'm sure there would be more than a few people that would have a fit.
Seems a lot of people say they love nature and want to preserve it until they are paying for something or really want that shot.
A "Quiet" Tiger Sighting at Bandhavgarh
please tell not all indian/tiger reserves are like this??
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