- Bengal tiger caught stalking three deer in Tadoba Andhari reserve in India
- Crept through water to shock prey but didn't manage to catch one
- Estimated that there are around 2,200 Bengal tigers left in the world
A Bengal tiger hoping for an easy dinner went home empty-handed after setting her sights on three unsuspecting deer.
The
big cat waited patiently for more than ten minutes and moved closer
through the water every time the deer dipped their heads to take a
drink.
But
despite having the element of surprise the three lucky mammals managed
to escape the vicious attack - and were even brave enough to venture
back into the water.
The powerful Bengal tiger (pictured)
chooses her moment to lunge at the three deer, who are drinking at a
waterhole in the Tadoba Andhari reserve in India. Despite her speed the
deer manage to escape
The dramatic scenes were captured by Stefan Cruysberghs at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in India.
The
38-year-old software developer, from Lommel, Belgium, said: 'During our
drive we stopped at a waterhole and three Sambar deer were drinking in
the middle of the pool.
'Suddenly, we saw a tigress coming out of the high grass and sneaking into the water.
'What followed was one of the most exciting and amazing events in nature I have ever witnessed.'
Stefan said that every time the deer bent their head to drink, the tigress swum closer.
He
said: 'After about five minutes, when she had approached the deer at a
distance of about 12 metres, she started her ultimate attack.
'The three deer got away, but it was a thrilling moment.'
Before the attack the three Sambar deer have no idea what is going to happen and take it in turns to drink from the cool water
The tigress spots an opportunity while hiding in the high grass of the bank and slowly makes her way down to the water's edge
As she cautiously makes her way
through the shallows, she keeps a watchful eye on the deer to ensure
that none of them turn round
Photographer Stefan Cruysberghs said that every time the deer bent their head to drink, the endangered big cat swum closer
Only her ears and nose are visible as the canny tigress swims carefully through the water towards the deer
Stefan watched the seven-minute attack take place from around 50 metres away.
In most cases a Bengal tiger approaches its victim from the side or behind.
Once it has caught its prey, it grasps it by the throat to kill it.
Big cats frequently eat wild boar and occasionally grey langur monkeys.
They also eat small prey such as porcupine and hares.
Suddenly the big cat makes her move and lunges through the water, causing large waves and mud to splash around her
The cheeky female continues the chase through the water. Bengal tigers can weigh up to 325kg and can run up to 40mph
Perhaps due to the tiger's splashing the deer get plenty of notice and run to the nearest bank to escape
As the deer disappear into the
background the tiger realises her fate. Mr Cruysberghs said: 'People are
really surprised that we were able to witness this. Even our naturalist
guide and driver had never seen a tiger attack prey in the water'
Despite the attack the brave deer made their way back into the water.
Stefan
said: 'About twenty minutes later two of the deer came back into the
water, fully aware that the tigress was still cooling down in the
waterhole.
'They made alarm calls and were even challenging the tigress. She tried a second desperate attack, but still with no luck.
'As a tourist it is rare to see big predators hunting in Africa, and in India it is almost impossible.
'Tigers normally hunt at night so it was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience.'
It is estimated there are approximately 2,200 Bengal tigers in the world.
While the tiger cools off following the failed attack, two deer bravely make their way back into the water
The orange and black cat gives up and goes to the bank to dry off. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 27kg - or four stone
Two young Sambar deer play in the water after the attack and will be hoping that the tigress isn't still watching
He said: 'I felt extremely lucky and privileged to see a majestic but endangered tiger attacking deer in the wild.
'People
are really surprised that we were able to witness this and even our
naturalist guide and driver in the national park had never seen a tiger
attack prey in the water.'
Meanwhile, a Siberian tiger cub has been shown to the public for the first time at Tierpark Berlin zoo in Germany. The three-month-old is called Alisha and will be hand-raised.
Three-month-old Alisha, a Siberian tiger cub, has made her first public appearance at Tierpark Berlin zoo in Germany
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