Eye to I: with my First Tiger

Nandu and Salu, wildlife enthusiasts, are in a forest in South India, helping in a research project. Between setting camera traps and walking line transects, they hope to see the magnificent tiger in its natural habitat. But so far, all they’ve seen is lots of animal poop! Yes, they’ve seen elephants and deer and birds and squirrels, but that’s not the adrenaline rush they want. Then, as they are about to head back to camp one evening, they come face to face with a regal, fully grown tigress. What happens when Nandu and Salu come eye to eye with their first tiger? About the Author: Nirmal Kulkarni is a snake man, conservation scientist and storyteller. He has been walking through jungles for the past three decades, with a camera and a snake hook, to document and showcase India’s natural wonders. He has discovered five new species of amphibians from the Western Ghats and is an Expert Member of the Goa State Biodiversity Board and Viper Specialist Group IUCN. He is the recipient of the Carl Zeiss Award, the Sanctuary Asia Award and the Royal Bank of Scotland Award for his contribution to conservation science and nature education. When not in the field, Nirmal creates artworks from charcoal and recycled materials for raising conservation awareness. He lives in Goa with his photographer wife, an eight-year-old bird-watcher daughter and two dogs. Read more