Banda (2001-2008) meaning broken tail
Banda was among the first batch of tigers that were radio collared for research purpose during mid-2000. While age seemed to be catching up with Banda, the emergence of Munna (T17) in Kanha meadows eventually led to his downfall and he disappeared in 2008.
Munna, T17 (2002)
Did you know every tiger has unique markings? As unique as our thumb print? If not, Munna can explain. The tiger born with the natural “CAT” marking on his forehead, saying “I AM A CAT”. If that wasn’t enough, the markings were followed by the abbreviations, “P.M” read it as Prime male. The oldest tiger of Kanha Tiger reserve and the living pride of the park. In his 15 years of life, Munna had become the heart throb of tourists. Sadly, today, as we speak, the legendary tiger is captured in the Bhopal zoo as he made a kill of a human in the buffer zone, a habit that an old tigers retorts to when the physical abilities diminish.
Konda (2001-2008) meaning shy and innocent boy
The big, handsome tiger, dominating kisli for a brief period (2004-08). He was known to the tourist for his long “road he road” sightings. Him and Munna indulged in fight for dominance and in jan 2008 he was killed in a tragical fight for supremacy by Munna. For as long as the legend lived, he was most sighted in kisli.
Kankata (2003-2015) Meaning torn ear
Born in Sarhi then moved to mukki, covering a part of kisli range in 2009, the tiger lived a transient life, one of the most prolific tigers of Kanha, what makes him the male he is the fact that he mated and had cubs with 8-10 different females in kanha, thus increasing the tiger population in Kanha and India. In his initial days he was called the Karai Ghati male.
Umarpani female (2004-15)
Daughter of legendary tiger Banda, the female had the widest home range, earning her name as the queen of meadows. She overpowered the major areas of the forest including Kanha meadows and large areas of Kanha. She was the first tigress along with her father Banda, to be radio collared, for research purpose. She produced her first litter of 3 cubs sired by Munna. Sadly only one male could reach adulthood, t30, Umarpani male who has single handedly made sightings a piece of cake. She produced her second little of 3 cubs sired by Munna again, but sadly none survived and died in a territorial fight. A common behavior in tigers. She disappeared in 2015 and was never spotted by any of her fans or jeeps.
Kingfisher (2010-16)
Hovering kingfisher like marking above his right eye gave the elegant male his striking name, “KINGFISHER”. Also lovingly known as Raja ram, this male was born in a litter of 3 cubs of Neela Nala female in 2010. The wanderer first was seen in Bamhani Dadar 2012 as a sub adult. As time passed, the experienced sub adult, grew not just in size but also space. In 2014-15 our boy was the star attraction of Mukki, owing to its calm demeanor and leisurely sightings. The handsome male ruled south-east part of Mukki in his glory days. In 2017, the male got involved in a sever territorial fight and probably succumbed to death.
Bheema (2011-2016)
A strapping young lad was born to Budbudi female T83 in a liter of 4 cubs during 2011. While one sibling was killed by a transient male in a territorial fight his other sibling Bajrang T64 and Bano T22, in Kanha took over the space. In 2012 Bhima was radio colored for monitoring, as he started moving out of the protected area due to rising population of tigers. In no time, he was back and ready to rule Kisli.
During 2015-16 when he also courted with Jila Line female, (T-27) and Dhavajhandi (T-58). Mukki being a hot bed of territorial war for formidable rivals like Chota Munna (T29), Umarpani male (T30). In winter, 2016, he was found majorly injured and declared dead soon enough.
Chota Munna
Chota Munna, son of legendary Munna, was famous for his long walks among the tourist vehicles with the attitude of a Maharaja who likes to be noticed. He was almost a sure shot in summers where he’d rest in water holes now and then.
Umarpani male
Make way for the other big dominant male of Kanha. We all know him as the “big male”. Umarpani male was sired by the celebrity tiger, Munna, the “CAT PM”. In spite of being a frequent animal to be tracked, Umarpani is arguably the largest tiger of Kanha (to be given competition by the Balaghat male of buffer). His main rival turned out to be Kingfisher male. This male was accountable for his almost death in 2016.Leaving the grievances behind, Umarpani, started courting with T31, T32, T33 (Choti Maada, Umarjhola and Mahaveer female). In 2017 a major fight broke out between Umarpaani and Chotta Munna (both sired by munna). Resulting in an unended dispute. Owing to his sheer size, he has emerged to be the undisputed king of Mukki, while Chotta Munna confine himself to small home range.
Dhavajhandi Female
She is one of the most popular tigress of Kanha with attitude, the Dhawajandhi T27 is a beautiful, bold tigress with stunning looks. She is daughter of Choti Mada sired by dominant male Kankata, T-27. Her sightings are frequent in tourism areas of Mukki and peripheral areas of Kisli zone. Only two cubs remain alive from DJ’s last litter.
Sangam Male
One of the largest tiger of kanha tiger reserve, T56 is son of legendary tiger Kankata and old Indri female. He was born in 2009 in litter of 3 cubs. His territory includes meadows of Deewan behra, the dense cover beside Ganghar nallah and plains of khairwadi. He mated with Budbudi female (T-83) in 2017 and might sire a litter. He is famous among because of his bold and leisurely sighting.
Neelam Female
Commonly known as Queen of Kanha Meadows, is a tigress in her prime. She was born in a litter of 3 cubs to Mundi Dadar female sired by the legendary Munna (T-17). Neelam sibling Chota Munna has successfully managed to establish territory in mukki, she has establish her territory in areas adjoining her mother’s territory. In 2017 she has produced a litter of 4 sired by Bajranj (T-64).
Bajranj Male
Son of legendary male Kankata and Budbudi female (T-83), Bajrang (T64) is the dominant male of kanha meadows. Totally opposite to his brother Bheema, Bajranj is shy & elusive by nature and avoids tourist vehicles. He sires a litter of 4 cubs with Neelam (T-65) in 2016 and is mostly called as King of Kanha Meadows.
Naina Female
Born in mid-2013, as name suggest she is one of the most beautiful tigress of Kanha tiger reserve. She was called Naina (T 76) because of her beautiful eyes and also due to the fact that she maintains eye contact with tourist more often than her counterparts. Naina has indulged in few territorial fights with Neelam as their territories overlaps. Naina has produced a litter of 3 cubs sired by Bajrang in 2017.
Her home range covers mainly kanha zone.
Mahaveer Female
One of the older tigress in mukki zone, mahaveer is believed to be daughter of Badi Mada from 2005 litter. She is called mahaveer because of God Mahaveer shrine which falls in her territory. Home range of mahaveer female falls within the tourism area of mukki.
Chhoti Mada Female
One of the most photographed tigress of Mukki zone, Chhoti mada was born in year 2008 in a litter of 3 to Badi Mada. After reaching her adulthood, Chhoti Mada establish territory of her own in an area overlapping that of her mother. Proud mother and brave tigress she was witnessed to join late kankata in a brutal fight with thin strip male to ward off threats to her cubs. Both her daughters of first litter Dhawajhandi female ( T-27) & Chimta female (T-34) are young mothers now.
Chimta Female
Daughter of dominant male kankata and chhoti mada, T 34 chimta female was born in mid-2012.She had spent entire childhood in mukki area and after reaching her adulthood, she established territory of her own adjoining that of her sister Dhawajhandi female. Because of her shy and elusive behavior since childhood, sightings of Chimta female are extremely rare. Tourist barely get to see glimpse of her as prefers remaining out of sight. She is known to produce her first litter sired by Bheema.Her home range falls mostly in tourism area of Kisli.
