Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve Season End 2025–26

Often overshadowed by Central India's more famous tiger reserves, Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve is an underdog which has got a very big potential. The Sal Forest on the banks of Banas River is a prime habitat for tigers. This reserve is slowly getting popular among safari enthusiasts and has got some really great potential for sightings. 

Drama in the Grasslands

The reserve first gained national attention through one remarkable tigress—T28, affectionately known as "Mausi Maa." After her sister died in an accident, T28 did something almost unheard of in the wild: she adopted and raised her sister's cubs alongside her own. For a brief period, lucky visitors witnessed an extraordinary family of eight tigers together—a sight that remains one of the reserve's greatest wildlife stories.

The name "Mausi Maa," meaning Aunt Mother, could not have been more appropriate.

Today, T28 is raising a single sub-adult cub that is expected to separate from her soon. During this season, she was also observed mating with the reserve's dominant male, T56.

The Rise of the New King

T56 firmly established himself as the dominant male of Sanjay Dubri this year.

In January, he fought a brutal territorial battle with T67, popularly known as Gaurav or Trishul. The encounter was exceptionally violent, leaving T67 with severe injuries. Videos of the clash quickly spread across social media, offering a rare glimpse into the intensity of tiger territorial disputes.

Following his victory, T56 took control of the prized Mandola Lake territory.

This area is among the most valuable landscapes in Sanjay Dubri. Permanent water availability, extensive grasslands and abundant herbivore populations make it highly attractive to several resident tigresses. Unsurprisingly, every dominant male aspires to control this productive habitat.

Having secured the territory, T56 was later seen mating with both T28 and T17, raising hopes that both females may introduce new litters during the next safari season.

A Love Triangle in the Wild

One particularly dramatic episode unfolded around tigress T17.

She was initially observed mating with another male, T57, and the pair spent an entire day together. However, the following day, T56 arrived, challenged T57 and successfully drove him away after a fierce confrontation.

Once the rival had retreated, T17 remained with T56 for the next three to four days, strengthening his claim over both the territory and the tigress.

Nature, once again, demonstrated that survival and reproduction are earned through strength and persistence.

The Story Isn't Over for T67

Despite suffering serious injuries during his defeat, T67 refused to give up.

After receiving treatment from the Forest Department, he disappeared for nearly two weeks. During this period, he frequently crossed the Banas River into the buffer zone, where livestock offered comparatively easy hunting opportunities that helped him regain strength.

Eventually, T67 returned briefly to the Mandola area before his injuries worsened again during the May rains. Forest officials intervened once more, providing additional treatment.

According to the reserve's rangers, T67 is currently recovering well. With time and continued healing, there is every hope that this resilient male will return stronger in the coming safari season.

Looking Ahead

Eith such a great season with so many happenings in the forest, the next one is oing to be more interesting. With monsoon incoming the forest will be full of water everywhere, With availability of water and grass all the herbivores will disperse and so will the tigers in search of them. 

With this, new tigers will come to make a new territory some cubs will go in different areas for the same reason. But with so many cubs and adults the next season is surely going to be very happening. Will T28 and T17 return next season with cubs? And will T67 once again reclaim his place among the reserve's great males?

Only the next season will tell.