Want To See Tigers In The Wild? Your Best Chance Could Be In Dudhwa Reserve

There are a total of 54 tiger reserves in India, and almost all of them offer wildlife safaris to visitors, where they have a chance to get a glimpse of the big cats in their natural habitat.

But more often than not, spotting a tiger in the wild during such safaris is a matter of luck.

Dudhwa National Park

Not being able to see tigers in some of the most famous reserves including Jim Corbett and Ranthambore has often left visitors there disappointed.

However, according to Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer T Rengaraju, your best chance for a tiger encounter in the wild is in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh.

Tiger sightings in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

According to Rengaraju, the deputy director of DTR, the reserve has recorded tiger sightings every day this season.

Unlike some tiger reserves, Dudhwa is not open to visitors throughout the year.

Dudhwa became a tiger reserve in 1979 and allows visitors only from November 15 to June 15.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Record tiger sightings this year

"This year Dudhwa has created history in Tiger Sightings. Since the opening on Nov15 ¡®23 to till date sighting has happened almost everyday," Rengaraju said on X.

The IFS officer also shared a video of a tiger drinking water along with his post.

This year Dudhwa has created history in Tiger Sightings. Since the opening on Nov15 ¡®23 to till date sighting has happened almost everyday. Amazing video of Tiger drinking water!!!@DudhwaTR @UpforestUp @ntca_india @moefcc pic.twitter.com/QeZ05QNrRM

¡ª Rengaraju T, IFS (@raju2179) March 7, 2024

Where is Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located in the Palia and Nighasan tehsil of district Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, close to the Indo-Nepal border.

Dudhwa covers an area of 1,284.3 km2 and according to the 2022 estimate, was home to 135 big cats, making it the fourth largest population of India's national animal.

Rhinos in Dudhwa

It is also one of the very few remaining habitats of the Indian Rhinoceros.

Dudhwa National Park

Even since the Indian Rhinoceros were reintroduced into Dudhwa some four decades ago, their population has steadily grown. Today the rhino population in Dudhwa is estimated to be around 42.

Wildlife in Dudhwa

Other animals that can be found in Dudhwa include swamp deer, elephant, sambar, hog deer, cheetal, kakar, wild boar, rhesus monkey, langur, sloth bear, blue bull, porcupine, otter, turtles, python, monitor lizard, mugger, and gharial.

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