If you have ever visited the villages of Sunderbans in India, you will know how most villagers in the area panic when they hear the word 'tigers'. The fear and pain instilled in their minds is too deep to wash away easily. Almost every family living in these villages have a haunting memory associated with tigers.
Village woman in Sunderban village, Image credits: Adam Jones
Take for example the case of Krishnopodo's 83 year old mother who died in the mouths of a Royal Bengal tiger that barged through the bamboo walls of Krishnopodo's hut and snatched away his mother.
Only a very few lucky ones are able to recover back from the mouths of sure death. One such example is Jamal Mohumad who survived not one but three tiger attacks! He is a popular guy in his small village in Sunderbans. The first time, Jamal was pulled down by his legs by a tiger into the treacherous waters of the Sunderbans. Somehow he struggled out of the tiger's grasp and dived deep into the waters and swam under the water till he lost sight of the tiger and a boat came to his rescue.
A boat moving in the treacherous waters of the Sunderbans with tigers on the shore and crocodiles in the water, Image credits: Frances Voon
His another interesting or should I say, terrifying encounter with the tiger happened when he was gathering firewood in the forest. This time Jamal had no water escape route and had no other option but to face the tiger. He started roaring back at the tiger at the loudest possible voice and making the weirdest and scariest faces possible for a person to make. This stalled the tiger from attacking him as tigers do not like to attack animals they feel are a threat to them. Tigers usually stalk and kill submissive animals and if the element of surprise is lost in the tiger's attack, the tiger often backs out. In Jamal's case his shouting at the top of his voice, roaring sounds and scary expressions helped to check the tiger from pouncing on him. Villagers rushed to his help when Jamal's wife heard his cries and his life was saved again.
Jamal is one of his kind, an extremely fortunate man to have come out of the sure clutches of death unscathed. However, luck does not favour most of the individuals coming face to face with the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The idol of Bonbibi or Goddess of the forest who is worshipped by Sunderbans villagers for protection from the jaws of the tiger, Image credits: V. Malik
What if fate leads you someday to come face to face with these fierce and magnificent beasts of the jungle? What can your small human frame do in front of this powerful, muscular killing machine? Most experts agree on the following possible ways to escape being the meal of a wild tiger:
Do not move: If you have seen the tiger and you are sure that the tiger has not seen you, then the best option would be to stand still. It could be that your human frame would stay camouflaged in the wild cover. Tigers have excellent hearing senses and a small rustle in the leaves may be easily picked up by the tiger's ears. The tiger may just leave the place without noticing you if you make no noise.
Hide: If you have any option to hide, do it! Get to a place where the tiger cannot get hold of you such as beneath a vehicle, inside a hut or in a narrow space between the rocks.
Roar, shout and make faces! Yes, if the tiger sees you and looks interested in making you its afternoon lunch, then definitely it is time to fight back! Make loud noises or roar at the tiger, make the scariest faces possible and raise your hands up pretending to be bigger than your real size. Give it your best shot and believe that you are scarier than the tiger! Tigers are wary of strange animals who pose a threat to their security. They like taking their prey by surprise and lose interest if the element of surprise is lacking. Also, tigers have natural selection to fear humans for the centuries of hunting of these wild species in the hands of humans. Now it is a mind game between you and the tiger. Either may win, either may lose. Only in your case you will lose your life and the tiger his meal.
Calculation and wit: If the tiger still pounces on you, a timely calculated shift in your position as the tiger pounces can prevent you from being grabbed by the tiger. If you are grabbed by the tiger, try to grope for nearby stones, sticks or whatever item you find with which you can defend yourself. Remember, you have only moments to save yourself from a fatal bite.
Avoid tiger cubs: Do not sway to your emotions when you detect a tiger cub in the jungle. It is not your home kitty! Tiger moms are extremely protective of their kids and will not think twice before nibbling you down for the sake of her babies.
Respect the tiger and respect the rules of the jungle: This is perhaps the most important point of all. Most cases of tiger or other wildlife attack on tourists is due to lack of respect for the forest rules and unruly behaviour of tourists. Never walk on foot in forests with natural predators, read all the rules of the forest and obey them. Do not try to attempt anything that is forbidden by the guidebooks.
Always remember, you are in the tiger's home and even though you cannot see the tiger, the tiger can always see you!
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