Tiger vs Wild Dogs | Enchanting Satpura Safari

We were in the midst of a very cold morning in the middle of February. This early morning the freezing weather gave the appearance of cold, hard ground and lifeless vegetation all around.

Our morning started on a truly exciting note. We sighted two tiger cubs feasting on a spotted deer. This exclusive sighting made everyone ecstatic with happiness. Some could see this not only from their safari vehicles, but there were also some who could see this from their boats, which made the sighting even more fascinating.

The cubs were fairly bold, unlike their mother who always avoids the spotlight. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying this incredible visual treat. We stayed there for an hour and continued watching them till we even saw them playing around with each other. Tiger sightings are fairly uncommon in Satpura, therefore nobody wanted to lose out on this golden opportunity when it’s come to tiger safari in this location

Suddenly, right in the middle of all this frolicking and play by the tiger cubs, we heard very loud calls from the other side. The entire forest started to reverberate to these calls.

Soon we discovered the calls were that of a Wild Dog. Wild dogs are also known as Dhole or Whistling dogs. They can’t bark, instead, they use a whistle-like sound to communicate. Sometimes, the frequency of the whistle is so high, that human ears find it hard to tune in to it. The Wild Dog continued to call out loudly.

It was still a mystery why she was calling out so loud. What was this unique behavior about? What was making her so restless? Had the tigress killed her mate, by any chance? What was it caused her so much distress? With these questions running through our heads, we had no other choice but to leave the park, as we were running out of time.

In the afternoon, when the park reopened for the day, we rushed to the same area hoping to find some answers to our morning escape with the wild dog. There was neither any tigress with her cubs nor the wild dog to be sighted.

But for the first time this season, we saw something so very enchanting. We could see the pups of the wild dog coming out of their den, for the first time this season. The den was located exactly where the tigress was in the morning with her cubs.

We could now join the dots. The mother wild dog of these young pups was insecure and afraid for her pup’s safety due to the presence of tigress around her pups. She was trying to drag the tigresses’ entire attention towards herself so that her pups would be safe.  Every mother, as we all know is always protective of her children and the wild dog was no exception.

This story unfolds so many beautiful lessons and emotions. There is nothing as pure and beautiful as a mother’s love. Such rendezvous in the jungle motivate us to go there every day and experience life in its pure, unadulterated form.

Contributed by: Mugdha Desai and Swanand Deshpande, Naturalist Team, Denwa Backwater Escape.

Edited by: Natasha Sinha, Content Curator, Pugundee Safaris

Pugdundee Safaris is recognized as one of India’s leading responsible safari companies. With seven intimate jungle lodges in Central India and many bespoke wilderness experiences, it presents the very best of the Indian subcontinent wildlife & hospitality.

Denwa Backwater Escape is located overlooking the mesmerizing backwaters of a dam built on Denwa River in Satpura National Park, the area is popularly known as Madhai. It is built on 10 acres of forested land along the river and across the river lies the national park which is approached by a boat and then by jeeps to go deeper into the forest. The lodge offers stunning views of the Denwa River, grasslands across, and rolling Pachmari hills.

The rooms are done up in style with unique leather safari furniture, crisp cotton upholstery, linen, and local crafts.

The main building and the pool are done up with vintage iron furniture and hand-crafted wooden furniture, the wood for which is sourced from old furniture and sleeper wood. The lodge estate is gifted with a unique undulating landscape, water bodies, and an indigenous forest with a variety of flora and fauna and stunning river views.