Zanna the Tiger

The Solitary Wanderer: Zanna, the Nameri Tiger

Zanna, a magnificent female tiger, prowls through the lush forests and grasslands of Nameri National Park in Assam, India. Nameri, nestled at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, is a verdant sanctuary that provides a safe haven for diverse wildlife, including this enigmatic big cat. The park, known for its rich biodiversity, is part of the larger Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, teeming with countless plant species, birds, and other animals, all intricately connected in a delicate ecological web.

Zanna, an adult tigress, commands her territory with stealth and grace. Weighing around 140 to 160 kilograms and stretching nearly 2.7 meters from nose to tail, she embodies the strength and agility of the Bengal tiger. Despite her formidable presence, Zanna moves silently through the dense forest undergrowth, using her keen senses to track prey. Her coat, a brilliant shade of orange with dark stripes, provides perfect camouflage, allowing her to blend seamlessly into the play of shadows and light within the jungle.

Tigers like Zanna are solitary by nature, spending most of their time patrolling their vast territories. Yet, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem. As an apex predator, Zanna helps control herbivore populations, which in turn supports the health of the forest by preventing overgrazing.

Zanna’s home, Nameri, is not just her domain but also a refuge for elephants, leopards, and a myriad of bird species, including the rare white-winged wood duck. Conservation efforts in this region are vital to safeguard not only the tiger population but the entire ecosystem from the growing pressures of habitat loss and human encroachment.

Species: Bengal Tiger
Gender: Female
Size: Approximately 2.7 meters in length
Name: Zanna