Like most mammal species, the mother providing the main parental care to the children is common with tiger families. The tigress usually cares for the cubs and the male counterpart does not have any part in its upbringing. But recently, a father tiger at the ‘Panna Tiger Reserve’ in India has toppled the tradition by exhibiting an unusual ‘maternal’ behavior. This is unheard of and something out of the ordinary. You do not ever witness something like on an everyday basis, that too within the animal kingdom. It seemed like the tiger took on the role of a single Dad. It almost makes you want to cheer in happiness.
The Natural Law
As per the natural law, after giving birth to the cubs, it is the mother tigers that stay by the side of her cubs. For two years, she monitors the cubs, teaching them hunting skills and other survival strategies, before let them heading off on their own in their mature age.
The Father Tiger
Researchers are surprised with the rare nurturing behavior of a tiger in the Panna Reserve, when he started caring for four cubs, after the sudden death of their mother this May, due to unknown causes. Beyond the natural protector role of a male tiger, the father tiger is seen hunting the Sambar deer for the young cubs. Besides sharing his meal, he is also been heard communicating to the cubs by calling them with roars.
Official Observation
Panna Tiger Reserve director Uttam Sharma has informed that the father tiger visits the cubs regularly. By playing and sharing hunts with the cubs regularly, the tiger is clearly giving the vibe that he should not be considered a danger to the little ones. The conservationists of the reserve also carefully monitor the 8-month old cubs regularly. Through their observation, they opine that the cubs are currently looked healthy and not hungry, and are spending active stress-free days with their now father, the tiger.
World’s Most Expensive Animals Set the Record of Unbelievable Price Value
The ‘world’s most expensive animals’ does sound astounding, but in reality, it is more complex than it appears at first. Ranking any living animal by attached financial value might be a little distasteful for some, but few places like the pet markets, breeding farms, livestock auctions, and horse-racings will tell you otherwise. The price certain people are willing to pay to own a particular animal is often jaw-dropping. Creating history and legacy, several auctions, agricultural farms, and racing arenas bear the proof. The select club of Earth’s most valuable animals enlists these living wonder specimens.
Double Diamond
Some of the most mind-boggling numbers in money can be found in the world of agriculture, where trading of farming animals is most common. There is a unique lamb in the UK, called ‘Double Diamond’, which has valuable genetics, literally! A particularly impressive one, he is an example of a Texel Lamb, a rare breed originating from a small coastal island of the Netherlands. In late 2020, a consortium of farmers bought him for a whopping 350,000 guineas. While converted, that is £367,500 ($490,500/€411,300), an obscene amount to get a lamb’s genetics!
Big Dave
Big Dave is an award-winning Muscovy Drake, bred by owner Graham Hicks. According to Janice Houghton-Wallace, another breeder and secretary of the Turkey Club UK, Big Dave is truly a ‘big character’ with a nice temperament and beautiful poise. When Hicks was reluctantly selling Dave ahead of his retirement, aspirations were high from overseas breeders to acquire the bird for his potential bloodline. But Houghton-Wallace assembled a syndicate and bought the duck with a record-setting bid of £1,500 ($2,070/€1,760), only to give it back to her friend Hicks, as a surprise retirement gift!
Big Splash
Apart from the professional world of breeding, individual whims can also set the record in animal trading. Big Splash is a million-dollar Tibetan Mastiff dog sold for steeping 10 million Chinese Yuan, which is around £1.1m ($1.55m/€1.3m). The Chinese businessman, who invested this highest sum ever paid for a dog, successfully has made his gorgeous pet a status symbol in China.