Let the sleeping tigers lie........................... or..... Rock a bye, baby...

This one must be pretty sick of busloads of tourists who land up everyday trying to do all kind of silly things. If not sick at least bored. So she/he went on to do what is best. Take a nice nap on a hot day.

Yes, I felt very silly being photographed with one. I don't think it makes me particularly brave or anything special. There were those who got themselves photographed with the tiger on their lap!

But I was happy I got to take some pictures from close. They say all tigers have unique lines and whisker patterns. And I found it is true. If you live with them I suppose you can identify them individually. Some of the tiger experts who live with them in the Indian forests say they can do so. Must be interesting to be able to do that.

Latest news reports say the recent Indian study puts the wild tiger population in India to less than 1500. Half of what the Government says. So I hope all this human silliness helps the tigers. May be it is worth it.

EDIT: I just realised that I have already used this title here. Hence the alternative one.

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    langkawi, yeimaya, bill.fu, Ravages, and 21 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. langkawi (55 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shot. Would have felt much more at ease taking some of the SLEEPING cat... Love those huge paws. Yes, even the lines and spots on their faces make them very individual and indentifiable.
    The true royals of the Indian woods... With nowhere to go. Yes, afraid their days are numbered. Can hardly think of a bigger shame.
    Project Tiger should approach the high tech tycoons and try and enlarge the reservations, even if it means resettling people, like in the Sundarbans. They'd be safer elsewhere anyway.
    Cos the pampered monk tigers or rather their offspring need places to live...

  3. bill.fu (55 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic capture.

    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

  4. Rachel Pennington (55 months ago | reply)

    What a beautiful shot. He's resting so peacefully. :)

  5. satosphere (55 months ago | reply)

    Rock a by baby on the tree top.
    When the wind blows the cradle will rock.
    When the bough breaks the cradle will fall
    Down will come the baby, cradle and all....

    He is truly a sleeping giant.

  6. jinxmcc (55 months ago | reply)

    It is mind-boggling to see this powerful giant sleeping in the same awww-inspiring pose as a beloved housecat. What beauty! I'll join you in hoping that the exhibits that let people see these creatures at close quarters will inspire more of us to support efforts to protect their natural terrain.

  7. Ewa's Oceans (55 months ago | reply)

    Looks so wonderful, cute, impressive, soft ...

    Fabulous photo, Pandiyan !

  8. .krissy. [deleted] (55 months ago | reply)

    Awwww! So cuuuute! But such bad news that there are so few tigers! :-(

  9. Pandiyan (55 months ago | reply)

    I thought I acknowledged these comments. Sorry.

    Langkawi, the tiger debate is getting pretty feverish these days. The animal rights enthusiasts and the people welfare activists are battling it out. Saner voices and creative solutions are yet to come up. Government is not as active as it should be. However there are a few enlightened bureaucrats in the ranks now. Things get worse before they become better. I hope.

    Sathish, I didn't want to finish the rhyme!

    Jinx,Rachel and Eva, there is something special about gentle giants, isn't it!

    Kris and Bill, nice to you see dear friends.

  10. urbanlegend (54 months ago | reply)

    Tiger Tiger burning bright... such a cute kitty!

  11. chechu_argentina (52 months ago | reply)

    I love this one!

  12. chechu_argentina (52 months ago | reply)

    Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado Excelent photos & Amazing stories y nos encantaría agregar tu foto al grupo.

  13. katinha_n (51 months ago | reply)

    Lovely!!!!!!!!!!! =D

  14. red_a_27 (48 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called I LOOOOOOOVE THIS SHOT!!(quality photos please)!VOTE NOW!!!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    so beautiful!!!
    looooooooove this shot!!!

  15. red_a_27 (48 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called SAVE THE TIGER!!-ALL ANIMALS WE LOVE<3, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  16. Hani London (44 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Flickr Big Cats, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  17. scrappydaprince [deleted] (40 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Viscious Beauties, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

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