Morning with Chota Mataka
p.1 #1Morning with Chota Mataka
Having done a few family safari's over the years in India, this year I decided to organize a dedicated photo trip and spent a week chasing tigers in central India. Over the week, we saw over 20 tigers (including cubs), and today I would like to celebrate Chota Mataka, Tiger T-126 of Tadoba.
His face tells the story: that signature right tooth, permanently exposed from old battle scars, gives him a look as fierce as his reputation. Born in late 2016 to the legendary Choti Tara, he grew into one of Tadoba’s most fearless young males.
Known for his fiery in attitude, he took on every fight that came his way and at a relatively young age, he had already battled — and defeated — several large males, including Mowgli and Bajrang.
The morning I spent with him earlier this year remains one of my most unforgettable moments in Tadoba. The next tiger focused trip was to be planned around spending more time with him, but unfortunately just learnt from my local connects that in August, Chota Mataka suffered severe injuries in a territorial clash and had to be rescued and rehabilitated. Hearing that was heartbreaking and a reminder that it is a privilege to treasure the moments we get. This lead to increased human / tiger conflict and he has been relocated.
If you ever get an opportunity to visit tigers in India, I hope you take some time to get to know the local villiages and how much they sacrifice for the well being of tigers. (And tip you govt guide / drivers well, as they are from the local villages).
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Few more shots of him on my website : https://nature.ooo/chota-mataka
His face tells the story: that signature right tooth, permanently exposed from old battle scars, gives him a look as fierce as his reputation. Born in late 2016 to the legendary Choti Tara, he grew into one of Tadoba’s most fearless young males.
Known for his fiery in attitude, he took on every fight that came his way and at a relatively young age, he had already battled — and defeated — several large males, including Mowgli and Bajrang.
The morning I spent with him earlier this year remains one of my most unforgettable moments in Tadoba. The next tiger focused trip was to be planned around spending more time with him, but unfortunately just learnt from my local connects that in August, Chota Mataka suffered severe injuries in a territorial clash and had to be rescued and rehabilitated. Hearing that was heartbreaking and a reminder that it is a privilege to treasure the moments we get. This lead to increased human / tiger conflict and he has been relocated.
If you ever get an opportunity to visit tigers in India, I hope you take some time to get to know the local villiages and how much they sacrifice for the well being of tigers. (And tip you govt guide / drivers well, as they are from the local villages).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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8.
9.
Few more shots of him on my website : https://nature.ooo/chota-mataka
Nov 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM
p.1 #3Morning with Chota Mataka
Great set, and I loved hearing about the back story and your trip. I could not agree more about cherishing the moments we get to spend with the all creatures we get to photograph. Well done set.
John
John
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
p.1 #4Morning with Chota Mataka
Great set. #s 5, 6, 7 & 9 stand out for me.
Sreedhar.
Sreedhar.
Nov 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
p.1 #5Morning with Chota Mataka
He does look like a serious brawler. I enjoyed these, great job.
Nov 17, 2025 at 02:43 PM
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p.1 #6Morning with Chota Mataka
Great set Aditya. Two with the trucks following the cat tells a great story.
Morris
Morris
Nov 17, 2025 at 04:35 PM
p.1 #7Morning with Chota Mataka
birdied wrote:
Excellent set
Birdie
Thank you Bridie.
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johnohio wrote:
Great set, and I loved hearing about the back story and your trip. I could not agree more about cherishing the moments we get to spend with the all creatures we get to photograph. Well done set.
John
Thank you John - this year has been good.
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guywithgas wrote:
Great set. #s 5, 6, 7 & 9 stand out for me.
Sreedhar.
Thanks Sreedhar.
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Candor wrote:
He does look like a serious brawler. I enjoyed these, great job.
Thank you Candor - he was quite the legend.
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morris wrote:
Great set Aditya. Two with the trucks following the cat tells a great story.
Morris
Thanks Morris - I love those as well - the king is leading his caravan.
Excellent set
Birdie
Thank you Bridie.
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johnohio wrote:
Great set, and I loved hearing about the back story and your trip. I could not agree more about cherishing the moments we get to spend with the all creatures we get to photograph. Well done set.
John
Thank you John - this year has been good.
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guywithgas wrote:
Great set. #s 5, 6, 7 & 9 stand out for me.
Sreedhar.
Thanks Sreedhar.
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Candor wrote:
He does look like a serious brawler. I enjoyed these, great job.
Thank you Candor - he was quite the legend.
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morris wrote:
Great set Aditya. Two with the trucks following the cat tells a great story.
Morris
Thanks Morris - I love those as well - the king is leading his caravan.
Nov 17, 2025 at 09:13 PM
p.1 #8Morning with Chota Mataka
Great captures, Aditya, No. 2 makes me think, that he is leading them to an ambush!
Douglas
Douglas
Nov 19, 2025 at 07:55 AM
p.1 #9Morning with Chota Mataka
douter wrote:
Great captures, Aditya, No. 2 makes me think, that he is leading them to an ambush!
Douglas
Thanks Douglas, the king of the jungle is leading this followers
Being around tigers hits differently, they do make it clear that you are on the menu.
Great captures, Aditya, No. 2 makes me think, that he is leading them to an ambush!
Douglas
Thanks Douglas, the king of the jungle is leading this followers
Being around tigers hits differently, they do make it clear that you are on the menu.
Nov 20, 2025 at 11:58 PM