Tiger sightings post COVID
Lockdown has not been easy on anyone. Be it animals or humans, we thrive on the will to move from one place to another. Therefore, the moment the lockdown was eased post the second wave of COVID-19, people stepped out. It was obvious during these testing times, that crowds had to be avoided yet travel had to begin. And, what better than a tiger safari tour in some of the most renowned national parks in India? Its inviolability lies in the fact that you’re closer to mother nature and breathing in the fresh oxygen, something that we have been deprived of thanks to wearing masks every day! You steer clear from the stress and bustle of city life and crowded tourist hotspots, while still enjoying the sanctity of a holiday.
Local tourism post COVID
In India, jungles opened for tiger safaris in June 2021. The grand opening was celebrated by a rush of domestic tourists who had been home for long and wanted an outing in nature. As a result, guides, drivers, naturalists, and local resorts welcomed tourists with great fervor and kick-started the tiger safari season for 2021.
As a result, there was instant money flow in the wildlife tourism industry, directly benefiting the local community in and around these national parks. I have shared the importance of tourism in these tiger safari reserves in a lot of my previous blogs. To share one, do read here.
Seeing such footfall of wildlife enthusiasts, we were sure that the jungle will not remain quiet either. It showcased the hidden gem of Indian Wildlife, The Royal Bengal Tiger in all pomp and glory. After multiple lockdowns and national parks remaining closed, this season caught the eye of many tiger safari fanatics, giving us some of the best tiger sightings in a long time.
Below is a list of tigers that were sighted in the various national parks that opened in June:
Dhawajhandi Female (DJ), AKA T-27 in Kanha National Park
| Kanha | |
| Common Name | Code |
| Umarpani Male | T-30 |
| Jamuntola Male | T-24 |
| Dhawajhandi Female | T-27 |
| MV3 Female | T-106 |
| DJ4 Female | T-104 |
| Umarjhola Female | T-32 |
| Baishanghat Male | T-46 |
| Garhi Male | T-50 |
| Sangam Male | T-56 |
| Suphkar Male | T-57 |
| Zila Line Female | T-58 |
| Bajrang | T-64 |
| Neelam | T-65 |
| Sanddukhole Female | T-66 |
| Khapa Female | T-72 |
| Naina | T-76 |
| Balaghat Male | T-88 |
| Neelima | T-115 |
| Balwaan | T-116 |
| Sunaina | T-122 |
|
 Collarwali Female – A Legendary Tigress in Pench National Park | |
| Pench | |
| Common Name | Code |
| Collorwali Female | |
| Patdev Female | |
| L Mark Male | |
| Raiyakassa Female | |
| Langdi Female | |
| Baras Tigress | |
| Kingfisher male | |
| Patdev female daughter | |
| Bindu tigress | |
|
| |
| Bandhavgarh | |
| Common Name | Code |
| Dotty | T-17 |
| Spotty | T-41 |
| Dadhadol | T-53 |
| Bheem | T-22 |
| Mahaman Male | T-39 |
| Kajri Female | |
| Arhariya Female | |
| Darha Female | |
| Dhamdhma Female | |
| Tara Female | |
| Mahaman Bachi Female | |
| Chota Bheem Male | |
| Bajrang Male | |
| Chakradhara Male | |
| D1 Male | |
| Mark 7 | |
| Panna | |
| Common Name | Code |
| No Common Name | T-141 |
| T-142 | |
| T-151 | |
| T-152 | |
| T-145 | |
| T-3 | |
| T-7 | |
| T-112 | |
| T-223 | |
|
 Male Tiger in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve | |
| Tadoba | |
| Common Name | Code |
| Rudra Male | T-103 |
| Choti Tara | |
| Tala Male | |
| Madhuri female | |
| Maya | T-22 |
| Dadhiyal Male | |
| Jharni Female | |
| Choti Rani | |
| Sonam | |
| Kon Patil Female | |
| W Mark Female | |
| Talabwali Female | |
| Mowgli Male | |
Sharad Vats brings over three decades of rich safari experience across the Indian wilderness, leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering seamless and memorable wildlife journeys. With deep knowledge of jungle logistics—ranging from flora and fauna to experienced guides and skilled jeep drivers—he ensures that every safari is thoughtfully curated and effortlessly executed, offering guests an immersive and almost ethereal experience in the wild.
Over the years, Sharad has also spent extensive time assisting guests, curating personalized tours, and leading wildlife expeditions, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of guest expectations.
Beyond tourism, he is an active contributor to the wildlife ecosystem. His initiatives include planting and maintaining thousands of trees, creating safe passages and corridors for tigers, and establishing solar-powered waterholes across Kanha and other national parks. He is equally committed to community development, supporting and adopting schools in nearby villages, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism.
