India: Kingdom of the Tiger

Trace the footsteps of writer, hunter, and naturalist Jim Corbett, as he sets out to save an Indian village from a man-eating tiger. In the process, Corbett finds compassion for the animals and explores the issues of conservation for tigers. By building on top of Jim Corbett’s 1944 man-eating tiger tale, India: Kingdom of the Tiger juggles both natural history and the importance of preserving endangered wildlife.

Using the beautiful natural scenery of India, the documentary comes alive as the journey unfolds. It is a land shaped by ancient culture, customs and traditions – a place where both nature and animals have been wrapped in myths and legends. Here, the endangered Bengal tiger lurks, a majestic creature with great strength and stealth.

Estimated to having a population of around 3000 in India, the Bengal tiger is one of the largest wild cat species in the world. The tiger’s fur coat ranges from a rich yellow to light orange color, with stripes belted across in dark brown to black; the belly and the interior parts of the limbs are white, and the tail is orange with black rings. In the thick Indian canopy and tall orange weeds, the Bengal tiger’s stealth is legendary. The ease of which it assassinates its prey is quick and deadly, though the tiger does not shy away from bigger combatants. In rare events even rhinoceros and elephants have fallen to the great beast.

In modern times, however, the Bengal tiger’s prey has diminished. With the human encroachments on its natural habitats, the tiger’s paws have been forced. Livestock and other alternative meat-sources are consumed, and when things get really desperate – even humans become a target to be devoured.

The importance of natural environmental preservations and animal conservations are imperative in securing a balance of well-being on Earth. To understand the balance, the documentary thoughtfully opens a beautiful passage into a diminishing natural world. A world where the tiger is king, hopefully set to expand its kingdom with our help.