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Giant tiger, believed to be Asia's largest, spotted in Uttarakhand: 4 other surprising tiger sightings you can't miss

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
07th May, 2025 18:08 IST
Lately, the wild has been grabbing attention for all the right reasons. From rare tiger sightings going viral to surprising moments deep inside India’s forests, these majestic creatures are changing the way we see wildlife. But now, one tiger in Uttarakhand has become the talk of the country!

Meet ‘Hercules’
In Uttarakhand’s Ramnagar forests, one massive tiger is capturing everyone’s attention. Locals have nicknamed him ‘Hercules,’ and this unusually large tiger has been spotted roaming around the Phato tourism zone, leaving tourists, forest officials, and wildlife lovers in awe.


Weighing close to 300 kg and measuring nearly 7 feet in length, Hercules is believed by many to be the biggest tiger currently alive in Asia. Confirming his presence, Prakash Arya, Divisional Forest Officer of the Terai West Forest Division, said: “In my entire career, I have never seen such a giant tiger,” he told TNIE. He added, “This is a clear symbol of the rich biodiversity and the success of our management efforts in this forest area.”


To track his movements, forest officials have now set up camera traps across the Phato zone. According to local guides, Hercules leaves everyone speechless. One guide said, “We've seen many tigers here, but nothing compares to ‘Hercules’. His sheer size is incredible. He truly looks like the mythical hero, hence the name.”


For visitors who get to see him in person, the experience has been nothing short of magical. Priya Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, shared, “Seeing ‘Hercules’ was an unforgettable experience. His presence is overwhelming. If he is indeed the largest in Asia, it puts Uttarakhand on the map in a very special way.”

Other unusual tiger sightings that made headlines recently

1. A golden tiger spotted in Kaziranga
Wildlife photographer Sudhir Shivaram recently captured a rare and beautiful sight in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park– a golden tiger. This unusual-looking tiger, also called a “golden tabby,” isn’t a separate species. Its unique golden fur and lighter stripes come from a genetic change known as pseudo melanism, which affects its colouring. The tiger’s glowing golden coat has amazed wildlife lovers across the internet. These golden tigers are extremely rare in the wild, so spotting one is truly a special and unforgettable moment.

Even cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recently visited Kaziranga, was amazed by the sight. “I saw a golden tiger... It was a great experience. A rhino also crossed in front of us. Our experience was very good,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

2. Tiger caught eating python and grass in Pilibhit
At Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit Tiger Reserve , tourists on a safari witnessed a rare and surprising sight– a tiger eating a python. The tiger first sniffed the dead snake, then began to eat it. But not long after, it seemed uneasy, moved away, and started chewing on grass.

Experts say tigers sometimes eat grass when they’re feeling sick. Soon after, the tiger vomited, possibly because the snake was toxic. The whole moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral. Forest officials are now looking into the video and speaking to local guides to understand what caused this unusual behaviour.

3. Playful tiger cubs swim in Denwa River
In Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura Tiger Reserve, two tiger cubs were recently seen playing in the Denwa River during a boating safari. While their mother rested nearby, the cubs splashed around in the water– a rare and heartwarming moment that was caught on camera and quickly went viral.

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At one point, one of the cubs was seen joyfully running out of the river, leaving tourists amazed. According to India Today, this is part of a rise in tiger activity in the area. Ankit Jamod, Assistant Deputy Director of the reserve, confirmed that tigers have been more visible lately, which has thrilled both visitors and forest staff.

4. Tigress fight caught on camera in Corbett

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At Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, tourists on safari witnessed a fierce fight between two tigresses, Veera and Bhela. Caught on camera, the video shows them battling over territory. Shared by the forest department, the clip quickly went viral, showing just how fiercely tigers defend their space. Tourists watched from a safe distance as the intense incident happened.

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