Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers

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This encounter occurred at a tiger reserve in India (Ranthambore National Park). The Bengal tigers were having a quiet session of sex and minding their own business as they do. A sloth bear was also minding her own business travelling for A to B, but she unexpectedly came upon the mating tigers.

Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers
Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers. Photo: 
wildlife photographer Aditya Dicky Singh

In terms of reproduction she was at a more advanced stage as she was carrying her cubs on her back. They cling on for safety.

The bear instinctively terrorised the tigers in defence of her offspring. Sloth bears are very dangerous for people which indicates how aggressive and violent they can be. They feed of insects. Hardly a carnivorous predator and yet behaving like one.

Anyway the tigers backed off and disappeared, soundly defeated in the encounter. But I think it is unfair to state what I have, in fact, stated because the tigers were not hunting at that time. They were having sex.

Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers
Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers. Photo: 
wildlife photographer Aditya Dicky Singh


They had no need to fight and for what? They would have been harmed for no reward. Wild animals instinctively balance risk (of injury) against reward (food) and make judgements accordingly.

Although it does look like an amazing victory for a bear with her kids on her back. Imagine if they had fought. What would have happened to the cubs? I guess the cubs remained on their mother's back because it is the safest place. On the ground they are exposed to being grabbed by a predator.

Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers
Sloth bear carrying 2 cubs on her back defeats 2 Bengal tigers. Photo: 
wildlife photographer Aditya Dicky Singh


The photographs are by wildlife photographer Aditya Dicky Singh. Great job.

Location: Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

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