India Indian Wildlife Thread

[Ryder]

Actually all big cats have some chance of turning into a maneater if the circumstances present themselves for it

Generally likely to be an older/injured one, that has lost access to regular prey for whatever reason, and thus forced to try its luck on humans (especially as human population prevalence increases in its vicinity)

But it may not be the case and some just take humans by opportunity that presents itself and grow accustomed to it (and the humans then have to take action against it).

Even (large enough) leopards can:

Leopard of Rudraprayag - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Though the (albeit rare) tendency is seen mostly around tigers (sundarbans esp as ryder mentioned), lions (tsavo maneaters come to mind) and jaguars as they are easily physically powerful enough to overwhelm humans (unlike all but the largest of leopards).

Smaller leopards have also been known to go after human children....and avoid adults etc.

But given the total leopard population, its not surprising there are frequent enough instances involving large male leopards.

Leopard attack - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

When a predator turns "maneater" it is then (unfortunately) fairly important to track it and kill it....as it will have gotten a taste of human and will only get better or used to having people on the menu.

Happened with a grizzly in yellowstone some years back....pictures of the human victim (partially consumed) were quite disturbing to look at....the park warden made the (correct) decision to go kill the bear given the threat it now posed to other people.

These cases are extremely rare though....and humans do magnitudes more damage (incl predation) on bears, big cats and other apex predators in general.

Humans are easy to kill. When we are easy to kill thats how maneaters are born because humans are easy to kill and eat. Us humans have strength in numbers, technology and intelligence but one on one we are easy to get killed.

But Crocodiles especially Saltwater and Nile crocs are already maneaters because Crocodiles eat anything that moves or comes to its territory. A Saltwater Crocodiles diet is literally anything.

In Australia there is also debates about whether Great Whites, Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks are already man eaters because 3 of these species of Shark are opportunistic which means they will eat anything that moves or looks interesting.

A few months ago a guy got killed by a Great White Shark and eaten this was recorded on video too.

 

[Nilgiri]

Humans are easy to kill. When we are easy to kill thats how maneaters are born because humans are easy to kill and eat. Us humans have strength in numbers, technology and intelligence but one on one we are easy to get killed.

But Crocodiles especially Saltwater and Nile crocs are already maneaters because Crocodiles eat anything that moves or comes to its territory. A Saltwater Crocodiles diet is literally anything.

In Australia there is also debates about whether Great Whites, Tiger Sharks and Bull Sharks are already man eaters because 3 of these species of Shark are opportunistic which means they will eat anything that moves or looks interesting.

A few months ago a guy got killed by a Great White Shark and eaten this was recorded on video too.

Yah here , Canadian wilderness is quite close to me....in the environs I now know fairly well when I am no longer on "human turf" and rather another apex predator's turf....and to be wary/careful of the boundaries for this.

Yup you are right about the salties and nileys.

I miss Steve Irwin shows man, those were simpler times lol.

*Crikey thats a big'un!!!* ....watching it from comfort of my home growing up lol

India, have to be careful with even the mugger crocs (past the much larger saltie).

Those sharks you mention (species wise) are definitely maneaters too (since they are opportunistic and it just depends if they see the meal as worth it).

Even smaller ones than those 3 potentially.

It is rare to see in general overall (in general human vs shark activity/prevalence out in water), but it can intensify if there is lot of blood around and lot of weakened humans in the water...thrashing about or slowly drowning etc.

There is lot of unfortunate accounts of sharks taking a good portion of sailors that had jumped overboard in pacific war battles.

It is not really talked about these days, but the conditions are definitely there that you don't want to create.

 

[Ryder]

Yah here , Canadian wilderness is quite close to me....in the environs I now know fairly well when I am no longer on "human turf" and rather another apex predator's turf....and to be wary/careful of the boundaries for this.

Yup you are right about the salties and nileys.

I miss Steve Irwin shows man, those were simpler times lol.

*Crikey thats a big'un!!!* ....watching it from comfort of my home growing up lol

India, have to be careful with even the mugger crocs (past the much larger saltie).

Those sharks you mention (species wise) are definitely maneaters too (since they are opportunistic and it just depends if they see the meal as worth it).

Even smaller ones than those 3 potentially.

It is rare to see in general overall (in general human vs shark activity/prevalence out in water), but it can intensify if there is lot of blood around and lot of weakened humans in the water...thrashing about or slowly drowning etc.

There is lot of unfortunate accounts of sharks taking a good portion of sailors that had jumped overboard in pacific war battles.

It is not really talked about these days, but the conditions are definitely there that you don't want to create.

I was in year 7 in 2006. In 2006 my grandpa passed away. In 2006 steve irwin passed away.

As a 13 year old I really cried when I heard the news. For everybody Steve Irwin was a national treasure. I watched his documentaries along with my dad and brother on the couch.

I was shocked not to mention he got killed by a stingray least animal you would expect.

Steve Irwin even started to become popular in Turkey but for many Turks they said he was a crazy guy that will meet his end with a Crocodile.

Steve Irwin was a genuine man. The man really loved animals. He was really passionate about his work even his friends said he always went to the creek as a kid to catch lizards and study them rather than hanging out with friends.

Every Australian still misses him today. He touched everybody hence why his death became a national mourning not just in Australia but the world mourned his death.

 

[Nilgiri]

I was in year 7 in 2006. In 2006 my grandpa passed away. In 2006 steve irwin passed away.

As a 13 year old I really cried when I heard the news. For everybody Steve Irwin was a national treasure. I watched his documentaries along with my dad and brother on the couch.

I was shocked not to mention he got killed by a stingray least animal you would expect.

Steve Irwin even started to become popular in Turkey but for many Turks they said he was a crazy guy that will meet his end with a Crocodile.

Steve Irwin was a genuine man. The man really loved animals. He was really passionate about his work even his friends said he always went to the creek as a kid to catch lizards and study them rather than hanging out with friends.

Every Australian still misses him today. He touched everybody hence why his death became a national mourning not just in Australia but the world mourned his death.

It shocked me initially (I was making my way back to uni from summer break and it was all over the airport news etc iirc), but at the time I soon felt it made more sense that way (something smaller + unpredictable) compared to what people thought would be "likelier" with something lot bigger.

Coz Steve knew the big stuff so well, that was his bread and butter....knew how to handle, and stay respectful of it more easier (given the size of such megafauna and their clear space and approach angles etc).

Whereas with smaller stuff its just lot riskier, you are always in their space/range lot easier...and element of chance rears up much more.

At the time i was very sad he was gone...and grieved in my own way given his wonderful wife and kids too.

But more than the sadness that he is gone, I am also happy that he existed and did what he did with the spark he had...

I do regret never having got to meet and thank him......as I remember him very fondly.

 

[Ryder]

It shocked me initially (I was making my way back to uni from summer break and it was all over the airport news etc iirc), but at the time I soon felt it made more sense that way (something smaller + unpredictable) compared to what people thought would be "likelier" with something lot bigger.

Coz Steve knew the big stuff so well, that was his bread and butter....knew how to handle, and stay respectful of it more easier (given the size of such megafauna and their clear space and approach angles etc).

Whereas with smaller stuff its just lot riskier, you are always in their space/range lot easier...and element of chance rears up much more.

At the time i was very sad he was gone...and grieved in my own way given his wonderful wife and kids too.

But more than the sadness that he is gone, I am also happy that he existed and did what he did with the spark he had...

I do regret never having got to meet and thank him......as I remember him very fondly.

Yeah same here I wish I would meet him because as a Kid I loved animals a lot.

On windows 98 I spent most of my time afterschool being on the Microsoft dangerous creatures program at home while having a Ps1 and Nintendo 64

Really miss being a kid in the late 90s and 2000s.

Steve Irwin knew the risks but the man did it because he loved animals and wanted to show the world their lives and story. Many can critise his approach but the man was genuine about his work. In Australia he made us appreciate our country and its unique animals a lot.

Steve Irwin in many ways helped put Australia on the map. Australia may not have a big history like so many countries around the world but it has beautiful natural landscapes and unique cool animals that make up for it.

 

[fire starter]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1528317178633670657

 

[crixus]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529008426218852352

 

[Nilgiri]

RIP to the legendary tusker.

Jumbo with longest tusks says goodbye

BENGALURU: Bhogeshwar — the tusker with the longest tusks among Asian elephants — is no more. One of the most popular jumbos for tourists in the Kabini backwate

www.newindianexpress.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1535978516801798145

 

[crixus]

It says dont watch horror movies before going to bed :

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1536401940283740160

@T-123456 @Nilgiri @Jackdaws @Peace Lover

 

[TR_123456]

RIP to the legendary tusker.

Jumbo with longest tusks says goodbye

BENGALURU: Bhogeshwar — the tusker with the longest tusks among Asian elephants — is no more. One of the most popular jumbos for tourists in the Kabini backwate

www.newindianexpress.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1535978516801798145

An Asian elephant with such long tusks is rare right?

 

[Nilgiri]

An Asian elephant with such long tusks is rare right?

Among males, its about as frequent as African I would imagine....getting them this long is rare overall for both.

Tusks never stop growing, so it become age related in general and whatever the relevant underlying genetics are etc.

Probably somewhat likelier in African elephants as they are physically bigger to begin with...but I am not exactly sure.

Main difference is that Asian female elephants dont have them (they are quite small and within the mouth etc)....whereas female African elephants do grow them (though they dont grow as large as males of either species).

 

[Nilgiri]

Nice picture captured:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1541025269942738946

@Ryder @crixus et al.

 

[Ryder]

Nice picture captured:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1541025269942738946

@Ryder @crixus et al.

Interesting how the Snow Leopard is so important in the local cultures of the Turkic peoples, Mongols, Tibetans, Nepalis, Pakistanis, Indians and Bhutan.

It was so admired and respected it made its way into coat of arms, legends, myths and stories.

 

[Ryder]

Among males, its about as frequent as African I would imagine....getting them this long is rare overall for both.

Tusks never stop growing, so it become age related in general and whatever the relevant underlying genetics are etc.

Probably somewhat likelier in African elephants as they are physically bigger to begin with...but I am not exactly sure.

Main difference is that Asian female elephants dont have them (they are quite small and within the mouth etc)....whereas female African elephants do grow them (though they dont grow as large as males of either species).

How dangerous are Indian Elephabts compared to African Elephants?

African Elephants are no doubt really hardcore that even the local Africans fear them just like the Hippo.

 

[crixus]

Interesting how the Snow Leopard is so important in the local cultures of the Turkic peoples, Mongols, Tibetans, Nepalis, Pakistanis, Indians and Bhutan.

It was so admired and respected it made its way into coat of arms, legends, myths and stories.

In India among big cats we gave more importance to Tiger and Lion . Tiger is national animal , Lion is part of state emblem .

 

[Nilgiri]

How dangerous are Indian Elephabts compared to African Elephants?

African Elephants are no doubt really hardcore that even the local Africans fear them just like the Hippo.

Both are equally potentially dangerous.

The high water mark of danger is the male elephant in "musth" as there are huge amount of hormones pumping in such a large animal (testosterone can be 60 times higher than normal....and we are talking about a multi-ton animal).

The word musth ("intoxicated") itself comes from the asian elephant experience (since they have been more readily captivated and thus must be managed in these periods).....so that illustrates the referenced danger.

It just also found to happen in African elephants too.....same set of danger potentials....and African elephants are not captivated.....so I would say overall they have more in them to be dangerous overall past the peak potential that is the same for both.

Even in normal times in the wild, you generally want to give a large amount of distance as possible to any solitary bull elephant (asian or african)....theres no telling what impression its made of humans and at which range you become a threat/challenger to it.

A female herd etc will give you plenty of warning signs and also will try to get out of your way as well (they understand conflict is not worth the risk)....but bull elephants living on their own ultimately see little need for that approach....they are used to fighting each other for dominance etc.

 

[Ryder]

In India among big cats we gave more importance to Tiger and Lion . Tiger is national animal , Lion is part of state emblem .

Thats true but in the Himalyas parts of India the local peoples including Indians have incorporated the Snow Leopard. In India every culture has incorporated big cats in their local cultures.

No doubt Bengal Tiger is the most famous one even the name Royal Bengal Tiger shows how important Tigers are they are even given royal titles.

 

[Nilgiri]

Asiatic Cheetahs were declared extinct in India 70 years ago after the last three cheetahs living in the country were killed in 1947. Now in an effort to introduce African cheetahs to India, the Indian government signed a memorandum of understanding with Namibia to bring back the cheetahs to India.

 

[Nilgiri]

@Ryder @crixus et al.

 

[Ryder]

@Ryder @crixus et al.

Indian always said there were black tigers.

I laughed off but damn they were actually right.