During a research visit to the Umred Paoni Karhandala Wildlife Sanctuary in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, my interest was piqued when, after an exhausting day of fieldwork, I came across an illustration in a rest house depicting a tigress with her cubs. I started inquiring about the painting from the forest staff. The story they shared, along with my research on the Internet, unfurled a legacy that was nothing short of extraordinary.
The tale of Jai, Veeru, and their offspring, especially Srinivas and Bittu, is a fascinating and heart-touching journey through the challenges faced by tigers in India’s wild and human-dominated landscapes, where they must navigate both their natural habitats and the increasing presence of human activities.
Jai and Veeru were the last two sons of Mai, a well-known tigress in Nagzira National Park, Maharashtra. They were born in 2010. Veeru, named after the iconic Sholay character because of a distinctive V-shaped mark on his forehead, was inseparable from his brother Jai, reflecting the bond between the two characters in the famous movie. This strong sibling relationship continued for a few years, until tragedy struck in 2013 with the death of Veeru, found with multiple wounds on his body, likely the result of territorial or conflict-related injuries.
After Veeru’s death, Jai went missing from Nagzira. He was known to be one of the most frequently sighted tigers in the park, but for months, there were no signs of him. Just when all hope was lost, Jai unexpectedly reappeared in the Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS). This marked the beginning of his reign in the sanctuary. Jai’s arrival was dramatic: he was not immediately challenged by the resident dominant males in Umred, and over time, he asserted his presence without conflict, marking trees, roaring, and leaving his pugmarks across the roads. The previous rulers of Umred, likely older males, eventually gave up their territory to Jai without a fight.
At that time, Jai was already an extraordinary tiger, weighing over 250 kg in his prime. By 2015, his size and strength had earned him the title of the largest tiger in India. His dominance in Umred Paoni Karhandla WLS marked the beginning of his legacy as a father. Jai mated with multiple tigresses over the years, fathering several cubs who would go on to establish their own territories later. His first mate was the well-known tigress Chandi, with whom he had four cubs, named Bahu, Bali, Jaichand, and Barkha. His lineage continued through other tigresses, including Rai, who bore him three cubs. Finally, he encountered the most beautiful tigress in Umred Paoni Karhandla WLS, Fairy, with whom he fathered Bittu and Srinivas.
However, in April 2016, Jai disappeared from the Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. His last known location was tracked using his radio collar; however, after an extensive search by forest officials and volunteers across the forests of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Chandrapur, there was no sign of Jai. Despite the efforts of a special panel set up by the forest department and even a call for a CBI investigation from a member of Lok Sabha, Jai seemed to vanish without a trace. This loss was a great blow to wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, and the fate of Jai remains a mystery. It was presumed that Jai had died sometime in 2018, although his body was never found, leaving room for speculation about whether he fell victim to poaching, human conflict, or natural causes.
Jai’s sons, Srinivas and Bittu, continued his legacy. In 2015, they were radio-collared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to track their movements as they began to disperse from their mother Fairy’s territory. The collaring was significant because it provided researchers with valuable insight into how young tigers adapt to fragmented landscapes, often navigating through human-dominated areas and surviving in non-protected forests.
The brothers showed a remarkable adaptability in their movements. Initially, they stayed close together, but over time, they became more independent. Srinivas travelled extensively, covering 320 km in two months, moving from the Paoni range to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), a considerable distance that showcased his hunting skills and ability to survive across different types of terrain. His journey mirrored that of his father, who was known for traveling large distances and mating with multiple tigresses.
Bittu, on the other hand, was more static, initially staying within his home range in Paoni, but eventually following his brother. While Srinivas often travelled by night, avoiding human presence, Bittu’s movements were more erratic, and he was frequently spotted by village residents. Unlike Srinivas, who avoided human settlements, Bittu used roads, railway tracks, and even village paths to navigate through the landscape.
In 2017, tragedy struck again when Srinivas, while venturing into a human settlement, was electrocuted by an electric fence set up by farmers to protect their crops. The farmer, in a panic, removed the tracking collar and buried the tiger’s carcass.
After Srinivas’s death, Bittu continued his journey and eventually settled in the Bramhapuri Forest Division (FD). Over time, Bittu established himself as a dominant tiger in the region, much like his father Jai. He mated with multiple female tigresses, expanding his legacy further. After ruling the forests of Vidarbha for over 13 years, the legendary tiger Bittu passed away few days ago in a train accident (October 2025).
I had the privilege of encountering Bittu and his two offspring closely together in Bramhapuri FD. The sub-adults were striking in their resemblance to both their father, Bittu, and grandfather, Jai. They inherited the powerful genes of their family, growing to be large, majestic tigers, much like their ancestors. They are often seen chasing vehicles and displaying a curious, spirited nature. With their imposing size and bold demeanor, they continue the legacy of their father and grandfather, ensuring that the line of dominance and strength established by Jai lives on in the wild. These sub-adults, embodying the legacy of their lineage, are a testament to the enduring strength and survival instincts passed down through generations.
Jai’s legacy, through his offspring, lives on in the forests of Vidarbha, Maharashtra. Despite the challenges of living in fragmented habitats and the threats posed by human activities, these tigers have carried forward the legacy of their father, showing how important it is to continue conservation efforts for these majestic animals. The death of Srinivas serves as a reminder of the fragile existence of tigers in India and the need for greater protection and coexistence with humans to secure the future of this iconic species.
Sajid Reza is a PhD Scholar at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth