Tiger Tracking: The Art and Science of the Pugmark
Hideaway Team
Naturalist & Conservationist
Tracking a tiger in the dense sal forests of Kanha is unlike anywhere else in the world. It is a game of patience, sharp ears, and the ability to read signs that the average person would completely miss.
The Language of the Pugmark
A pugmark isn't just a footprint; it's a newspaper. Our naturalists can tell the gender, approximate age, and even the mood of the tiger by looking at the pressure points in the sand. A fresh pugmark with sharp edges indicates a tiger has passed within the last hour.
Listening to the Alarm Calls
The tiger may be silent, but the forest is loud. The 'khakar' call of a Barking Deer, the sharp 'pew' of a Sambar, or the incessant chattering of a Langur from the canopy are all indicators of a predator on the move. Learning to distinguish a casual call from an 'active' alarm call is what separates the experts from the amateurs.