Tiger cubs get wet as they enjoy play fight in pond

Not all cats hate water! 

By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 20 October 2013

If you think all cats are scared are water then think again, as this is these amazing pictures capture the moment two tigers cubs were spotted getting wet and wild.

The troublesome two can be seen having a great time play fighting and even some form of tiger tag at a watering hole in Bandhavgarh National Park, India.

Although the two tigers seemed a little nervous to enter the water at first, the pair soon relaxed and started splashing and chasing one another.

Venturing in: The youngsters seemed to be daring each other into the waters as the splash about at the edge 

Having a ball: These two tiger cubs certainly aren't acting like cats as the swim and play in the water

Making a splash: The young cubs seem delighted for a chance to cool down after a hunting lesson from their mother

The mischievous minors were returning from a hunt with their mother when they stumbled upon the watering hole and pounced at the chance to cool off and have some fun.

After one of the 13-month-old cubs jumps through the water in an attempt to catch its sibling, the other tiger is seen playfully rearing up on its hind legs in response.
But while the youngsters were hard at play, they failed to notice that their mother had left them to their childish antics while she carried their kill to some nearby grassland.

After soon realising their mother was out of sight, one of the cubs began sprinting after her and in a heart stopping moment, straight towards photographer, David Jenkins, 41.

Luckily, the youngster ran straight past his jeep where he was perched taking photographs and straight back to its mother where it was reunited with a tender nuzzle and some freshly caught dinner.

Helping hand: Like most sets of brothers this pair seem to enjoy a chance to play fight under the watchful eyes of their mother

A bit damp: One of the tigers decided he has had enough of the games and makes his way back to dry land

Giving chase: The pair thrash around and chase each other at the watering hole in the Bandhavgarh National Park in India

Panic: One of the tiger cubs panics after finding its mother has walked away and charges after her to keep up

Back to mum: The cubs return to their mother's side and are greeted with affectionate nuzzle

David said: "When I first found the cubs they were resting in an area of grassland as there mother had left them there as she had gone off hunting, suddenly we heard alarm calls from the nearby deer and we knew the family were returning.

'On their journey to the kill they had to travel past a big waterhole and the family took the chance to cool off, take a drink and have some fun.

'When I photographed the tiger cubs they were play fighting and chasing each other and enjoying the water, but seemed very apprehensive about getting wet. 

'One cub chased the other until it nearly caught up, when the first cub turned and reared up on its back legs with its paws raised and claws out.

Speaking about the moment he almost found himself in the centre of the action he said that was the first time he had ever found himself in the terrifying path of a tiger charge as the youngster ran to catch up with it's mother.

He added: 'As soon as one of the cubs realised its mother was leaving the waterhole, it ran full speed splashing through the water to catch up with her.

'The mother was walking right past my vehicle at the time, so the cub ran full speed straight towards me and my camera.

'In all the years I have been photographing wild tigers, this was the first and only time I have had a tiger run straight towards me at full speed without any grass or branches blocking my view and I will definitely will never forget it.

'I was planning to photograph the tigers for about three and a half weeks on this trip and managed to capture this fantastic moment on the very first trip into the park and on my first day, you just never know when you will be lucky.'

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