Naturalist Diaries Kanha – Season End 2025–26

Kanha: Legends, New Dynasties and the Ever-Changing Wild

As another memorable safari season draws to a close, the forests of Kanha have once again reminded us that life in the wild is never static. Old rulers have stepped aside, young challengers have claimed their kingdoms, cubs have taken their first steps toward independence, and a few remarkable individuals have captured the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts from across the country.

From the endless meadows to Sal forests of Kanha, the 2025–26 season delivered unforgettable sightings and stories that will be remembered long after the monsoon transforms these landscapes.

Kanha Tiger Reserve – The Evergreen Jewel of Central India
Few protected areas in India command as much admiration as Kanha Tiger Reserve. One of the country's earliest tiger reserves, Kanha is celebrated for its thriving tiger population, the magnificent hard-ground barasingha, towering sal forests and expansive grasslands that have inspired generations of wildlife lovers.

The 2025–26 season lived up to Kanha's reputation. Sightings remained consistently rewarding, particularly in the Mukki and Kisli zones. While the reserve witnessed its share of triumphs and challenges, Kanha once again demonstrated why it remains one of India's finest wildlife destinations.

MV3 Continues the Mahaveer Legacy

The undisputed star of Mukki this season was MV3, accompanied by her two growing cubs.

As the only surviving member of the original Mahaveer bloodline, MV3 has carried forward an iconic lineage with remarkable success. Calm, confident and frequently sighted, she delighted countless safari enthusiasts throughout the season, becoming one of Kanha's most dependable and rewarding encounters.

A Promising New Litter

January brought exciting news when the Algi Dadar tigress was seen with three tiny cubs.

Living primarily around the Navpatra Road near Mukki Gate, the tigress kept her cubs well concealed during the early months. Their arrival promises another exciting chapter for this productive part of the reserve in the coming seasons.

A Daughter Claims the Throne

One of the season's most significant territorial changes unfolded in the forests around Baba Thenga and Dhawajhandi Road.

For years, the celebrated DJ (Dhawajhandi) tigress ruled this prime territory. This season, however, nature completed another generational transition as her own daughter, DJ9, successfully displaced her.

DJ now spends much of her time in the Kisli zone, while DJ9 has inherited the territory she has known since birth. Rich in prey and among Kanha's most reliable tiger habitats, it offers an excellent opportunity for the young tigress to establish her own legacy. There is every possibility that visitors next season may find her accompanied by cubs.

Adding further intrigue, a relatively new male—still known simply as the "Naya" male—was sighted several times within DJ9's territory, hinting at future developments.

Quiet Mothers of Mukki

True to her name, Sharmili remained one of Mukki's shyest residents.

She was observed with two female cubs during October, although she had originally given birth to three. It is believed that one cub was lost during the challenging monsoon months. Despite her elusive nature, every sighting of Sharmili and her daughters became a special reward for patient visitors.

The Males of Mukki

Mukki's landscape continues to be shared by several impressive males, including DB1, DB3, Neela Nala, Pattewala and Andhkua.

Among them, Pattewala emerged as one of the dominant figures this season. Early in the year, he is believed to have defeated and killed the formidable Balaghat male, whose body was later discovered within Pattewala's territory—a stark reminder of the fierce battles that determine survival in the tiger world.

Kisli Comes Alive

The Kisli zone enjoyed an especially productive season.

Females such as Junior Sondar and Ghangar have transformed the area into one of Kanha's most active safari circuits. Supporting them are dominant males DB2 and Z1, with DB2's territory extending well into the neighbouring Sarhi range.

Meanwhile, the Kanha tourism zone is currently ruled by Junior Bajarang and the elusive Lockdown female. Unlike some of Kanha's more visible tigresses, Lockdown remains exceptionally shy and rarely presents herself before safari vehicles.

With the departure of celebrated tigresses Neelam and Sunaina, this part of the reserve is currently undergoing a period of transition.

Buffer Zones Steal the Show

One of the biggest surprises this summer came from Kanha's buffer forests.

The Khapa Buffer became remarkably productive, with the resident Khapa tigress and her cubs being sighted almost daily alongside M1, a male born in Kisli in 2017.

Similarly, the Khatia Buffer continued to impress visitors thanks to the bold Magarnala tigress, who was repeatedly seen with her three cubs.

A relatively weak monsoon has left water concentrated around a handful of perennial sources, encouraging both prey and predators to remain in predictable locations. As a result, these buffer forests have continued to provide exceptional wildlife viewing even towards the close of the season.

Looking Ahead

As the forests prepare for the monsoon, Kanha once again is leaving behind stories of resilience, rivalry and renewal.

From MV3's enduring legacy and DJ9's rise, from males in Mukki consolidating their territories to tigers getting active in buffer zones this season has added another fascinating chapter to Central India's ever-evolving wilderness.

Soon the rains will wash away the tracks of this season, but hidden beneath the fresh green canopy, new cubs may already be waiting, young challengers will continue searching for territories, and the forests will quietly begin writing the stories of the next safari season.