INDIAN TIGERS — The Environmental Press Agency

The Environmental Press Agency

A young tiger seeks refuge on a gnarled tree branch at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.

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A tigress, a descendant of the famous Sita, stretches in the morning sun. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Madhya Pradesh.

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An adult tigress surveys her domain in the early morning light. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

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An adult tigress yawns wide, displaying the impressive teeth which keep her at the top of the "food chain". Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Madhya Pradesh.

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An adult male tiger, weighing around 200kg, bounds effortlessly across the sheer face of a dry waterfall. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

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A tigress stretches out on a rock in the shade. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.

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Tourist pressure on wildlife and resources can be excessive. Here a traffic jam of around 25 jeeps and cars full of tourists cram a track in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve all waiting for a chance to see a tiger reported in the vicinity.

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A posse of tourists, jeeps and elephants witness a tiger crossing a road in the late afternoon in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.

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Forest Guards on anti-poaching patrol, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

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Tourist pressure has forced this tiger cub to seek refuge in the branches of a tree.

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A forest guard springs a poacher’s “punja” or tiger trap hidden in the sand of a dry nullah, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Often locally made and extremely powerful, these steel traps could easily break the bones in a tiger’s paw or lower leg.

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A healthy and varied prey-base is essential to the survival of the Indian tiger. During the ‘rut’ cheetal (spotted deer) stags battle to ensure that only the fittest will have reproductive access and pass their genes to the next generation.

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For millennia the tiger has been part of the identity, mythology and mysticism of India. In this cave painting, estimated to be at least 1,000 years old, in a remote jungle cave, elephants, armed warriors, tigers and other mythical beasts parade across its stony walls.

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After a hard, hot day carrying tourists on his back an elephant relaxes in the cool of a local river.

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TEPA’s dedicated team of driver, photography director, guide, mahout and elephant.