Mausi Ma - The Caring Tigress of Sanjay Tiger Reserve

In the wild heart of Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, loves a tigress who became a legend - not for her strength or hunting skills, but for her compassion. Known as T-28, she is lovingly called Mausi Ma, meaning "maternal aunt" in Hindi. Her story is one of love, loss and the deep bonds of family in the animal world. 

A Sudden Tragedy. 

In March 2022, tragedy struck the forest when a tigress named R-18 was killed in a train accident. She had four small cubs who were left behind - confused, helpless and at great risk. In the wild, cubs rely entirely on their mothers for food, protection and survival training. Without T-18, the cubs chances were extremely low. 
Soon after, one of the cubs was killed by another adult tiger. The remaining three needed urgent help. 

The Unexpected Caregiver

At first, the cubs stayed with T-17, another tigress in the area. But soon, they found their way to T-28, their mother's sister. What happened next was truly extra ordinary. 

T-28 took in the orphaned cubs and began raising them along with her own four cubs. She did not treat them any differently. She fed them, protected them, and taught them all the essential survival skills, just as she did with her own litter. This kind of behavior is almost unheard of in the wild, where animals usually care only for their own offspring.

Raising a Blended Family

What made Mausi Ma's actions even more special was that she prioritized the orphaned cubs, focusing on teaching them on how to hunt and survive before her own. Wildlife officials observed that she ensured the adopted cubs had the strength and confidence to live on their own, and only then started training her biological cubs in more detail. 

Over time, all seven cubs moved together, hunted together, and formed a single united family under her care. The forest rangers and local communities began calling her "Mausi Ma" - not just because she was their aunt, but because she truly became their mother. 

A Rare Example of Empathy in the Wild

Tigers are solitary animals. The fact that Mausi Ma willingly took on the challenge of raising three extra cubs, knowing the risks and the effort it would take, shows a level of emotional intelligence that surprised even experienced wildlife experts. 

Her story has been recognized across the country and has become a symbol of how deep and complex the bonds between animals can be - especially when it comes to family.

The Home of Mausi Ma

Sanjay Tiger Reserve, located in the Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh, is a beautiful and lesser - know wildlife destination. With thick forests, abundant prey, and growing tiger numbers, if offers a unique opportunity to see tigers in their natural habitat. Today, it is also known as the place where Mausi Ma made history in the jungle. 

If you plan to visit, the best season is October to June, when the park is open for safari's. 

What We Can Learn from Mausi Ma

In a world where wildlife survival often depends on strength and instinct, Mausi Ma's story reminds us of the power of kindness, courage, and the will to protect. She didn't just save three cubs - she gave them a future. 

Her actions have touched many hearts, and her story continue to inspire nature lovers, researchers, and conservationists. 





1st image - taken from the internets. picture credits - unknown. 
Rest 2 images - Hemangi Vartak. 

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