Let The Beast Feast In Peace

By Aamer Sohel Khan

I started with a cup of black tea at five in the morning, tired from yesterday’s fieldwork but

curious to explore the day ahead. It was a typical field day in the jungles of central India. I was

searching for tiger spoors (track, trail, droppings or scent of an animal) with local forest staff. We

got the news that there is a day-old kill (a prey animal killed by a predator, here a tiger) in one of

the ranges. We headed towards the location later accompanied by the respective beat officer and

two of his subordinates. It was the early days of September delighted with multiple spells of

monsoon showers. We were on foot. The jungle was water-logged in many places due to heavy

rain last night. The rain has stopped but the trees were still shedding hundreds of water drops on

us. I had a poncho (a raincoat) but I decided not to wear it as it would not serve the purpose, I was

already wet. We have just crossed a little stream quite filled with water and stepped into an open

area, three sides covered with tree patches. I could smell the fresh meat, the kill is nearby. Soon

from a distance, one of us saw a moving creature with black and orange stripes, a tiger. He

warned us, we were alert all eyes towards the direction he was pointing. I could not able to sight

tiger for a moment. Slowly moving further, I noticed a full-grown tiger charging towards us.

Everything happened in a flash. All of us were stunned to see a tiger charging and roaring towards

us. This is mainly because the tiger was with the kill. Well, we did not have any intention to steal

the food! As we realized that the tiger is moving closer to us we started to shout simultaneously

banging sticks on the ground to scare the tiger. The tiger, a male, stopped suddenly but still

roaring. I could see the canines; it was a mock charge (a warning sign/threat gesture meaning

STAY AWAY). He turned back and went behind the tree, still staring at us. We slowly moved

back without making noise, certainly keeping an eye on the tiger. We reached a safe distance and

relaxed. Meeting the beast on foot is thrilling and a moment of terror. We left the beast to feast in

peace.

By Aamer Sohel Khan