Watch: Royal Bengal tiger spotted marking territory in Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

HYDERABAD: A young male Royal Bengal tiger was recently spotted marking its territory near a dam in the Naguluty Range of the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). The tiger, estimated to be around five years old, was captured on video by forest staff during a routine patrol last week.

The footage shows the tiger spraying urine to mark its territory, a common behavior among tigers to establish boundaries and communicate with others in the area.
A wildlife official from Andhra Pradesh confirmed that the Naguluty Range, located near a Shiva temple and the VRSP dam, serves as a perennial water source and is rich in wildlife, including deer, sambar, and crocodiles.
“This region has become home to three tigers, including the young male and two female tigers,” the official stated. The tiger’s presence further underscores the importance of the area as a thriving habitat for these apex predators.
The official also mentioned that the female tigers in the area are expected to give birth soon, following the recent breeding season. The male tiger had been spotted spending time with one of the female tigers for about a month and a half, an interaction captured on a camera trap set by forest officials.
The NSTR, which had an estimated 68 tigers in 2018, now boasts between 90 to 95 tigers, according to the latest census. Officials are optimistic that the tiger population could surpass 100 by 2025.
Territory marking is a crucial behavior for Bengal tigers, allowing them to establish boundaries, protect resources like food and water, and attract mates. By spraying urine, which contains a molecule called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (the same compound that gives basmati rice its distinctive aroma), tigers communicate their presence and dominance to other tigers in the area. Along with scent marking, tigers also claw trees and roar to further assert their territorial claims.