If you’ve ever read Judith Kerr’s picture book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, you’ll know that at the end of the story, the tiger disappears into the night after eating all the food at Sophie’s house. Sophie later goes out to buy a tin of tiger food in case he returns, but he never does. Much like this tiger, real tigers are exceptionally hard to find. They are secretive and solitary creatures with vast home ranges, meaning they could be anywhere within 20 to 100 or more square kilometres at any given time. So how do safari guides and conservationists track Asia’s most iconic big cat? Let’s find out how they follow tigers’ trails to give tourists and researchers an opportunity to see them.  

Pugmarks

When tigers are walking through their territories, they often use open trails to avoid injuring their soft paws on thorns. This means that on soft ground they leave visible pugmarks - paw prints - that can show which way they were heading and how fast they were moving.

Scents and signs

Tigers are very territorial, so they often mark their territory to keep rivals away. Guides and conservationists look for tiger poop - known as scat - on paths and trails, which the animals tend to leave visible to rivals, as well as scratch marks on trees. Tigers also spray strong-smelling urine on trees, rocks and other landmarks, which can help with tracking them. The fresher and stronger the scent, the more recently the tiger passed.

Alarm calls

Unlike lions, tigers don’t roar frequently, so guides, rangers and conservationists rely instead on the alarm calls of other animals to find these cats. Deer give a sharp bark to warn the herd of a tiger’s presence, and monkeys and sambar also have distinct calls to signal a threat. These alarm calls tend to move with the tiger, enabling trackers to determine the direction it’s travelling and predict where it can be seen.

Local information

Guides and conservationists work together to share information about tiger sightings, helping each other to track the animals. Their in-depth knowledge of the local area and wildlife makes finding tigers a little easier - though much of tiger tracking still requires patience and luck.

Tiger tracking safety

Tigers are fascinating and beautiful creatures, but they are also dangerous wild animals. To track them safely, guides always keep their distance, stay quiet to avoid causing alarm, and wear clothing that blends into the surroundings so that they do not draw the attention of the tigers. They are also mindful of the ecosystem, ensuring their actions don’t have a harmful impact on the wildlife and the surroundings.

Discover The Tiger Who Came to Tea

If you love The Tiger Who Came to Tea, don’t miss the children’s play, specially adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE. As one of the most beloved children’s shows of the 21st century, it delights kids aged three and up with an interactive retelling of the story that includes songs, dancing and magic. View performance dates and book your tickets online today.