Tigress, cubs spotted in Karnataka's Bandipur; safari-goers delighted

Gundlupet: In a rare sight, a tigress and her two cubs were spotted by tourists at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, recently. The family was seen quenching their thirst at a roadside puddle near Moorkere, under Gundlupet taluk, in the safari zone, on Thursday.

The sighting, which occurred in the middle of the safari track, was quickly captured on cameras and smartphones by excited visitors. Photos of the tigress drinking water, while her cubs look on, have gone viral on social media.

Wildlife enthusiasts noted that while tiger sighting has become more frequent in Bandipur, due to a healthy increase in the big cat population, spotting a tigress with her cubs in the open is a rare occurrence.

Surge in footfall

The increasing visibility of tigers and the scenic beauty of the forest have led to a significant spike in tourist footfall in Bandipur. With the region receiving two spells of rain, over the last 15 days, the parched landscape of Bandipur has turned into a lush green carpet, making it an ideal time for nature lovers and photographers to visit the forest.