The Return of Ranthambore’s King: T-108 “Tiger Jai” Spotted in Zone 6 (April 2025)
On April 19, 2025, in the early morning of a safari drive, excited whispers suddenly gave way to silence in Zone 6 of Ranthambore. A langur monkey’s alarm call rang out from the trees – a sure sign of a predator on the move. Moments later, the majestic male tiger T-108 “Jai” emerged from the dry brush, strolling onto the dusty trail to the astonishment of everyone on the jeep.
Tiger T-108 “Jai” casually crosses a dirt track in Ranthambore’s Zone 6 during the April 19, 2025 sighting. The sight of this big cat walking leisurely in front of the safari vehicle was a rare treat – a Zone 6 tiger sighting that visitors would remember for a lifetime. It encapsulated the thrill of a Ranthambore tiger safari – observing a dominant tiger on his own turf, completely at ease in the wild.
Meet T-108 “Jai”: From Cub to Dominant Male
To park guides and wildlife enthusiasts, Jai is more than just any tiger – he has a rich history in Ranthambore. T-108, nicknamed Jai, was first documented as a cub in February 2017 in Zone 6 . He and his sibling T-109 (Veeru) were born around November 2016 to the famed tigress Ladli (T-8) and male tiger Kumbha (T-34) . These two brothers were the sole survivors of Ladli’s litter and grew up exploring the grassy valleys of the Kundal area under their mother’s watchful eye .
As Jai matured into adolescence, he roamed the territory with his brother, learning to hunt and stake claim to the land. Tragedy struck in 2021 when a territorial clash in Zone 10 led to Veeru’s death at the paws of an older tiger, T-42 (Fateh) . The loss of his brother left Jai to forge his path alone. Park officials even mused that Jai seemed to linger near the Zone 10 boundary, almost as if waiting to “avenge” his brother’s death by eventually challenging Fateh .
Now about eight years old, Tiger Jai (T-108) has grown into a powerful male. His muscular build and heavy neck scruff have earned him the nickname “Hulk of Ranthambore” among local guides. Despite the challenges, Jai thrived. By 2023 he had firmly established himself as a dominant male in Zone 6, inheriting his mother Ladli’s former range. Recently, he has even begun contributing to the next generation of Ranthambore tigers. A young male tiger code-named T-129 was identified in a neighboring zone – believed to be Jai’s offspring . This means Jai’s lineage, descending from Ladli and Kumbha, continues to play an important part in the park’s tiger population.
Zone 6: The Wild Realm of Kundal
The setting of this encounter, Zone 6 (also known as the Kundal area), is a special corner of Ranthambore National Park. Zone 6’s landscape is characterized by open grasslands and sparse forests, with the Aravalli hills looming in the background . This terrain is drier and more rugged than the park’s famous lake areas, giving it a raw and wild appeal. The region supports plenty of prey for tigers: spotted deer, sambar, Indian gazelles, and wild boar roam the plains, while peacocks and langur monkeys abound to give the alarm when a tiger approaches. Fewer water sources exist here, but spots like the old stepwell Patwa Baori and the seasonal pond of Kala Pani are known tiger hangouts . Thanks to the relatively open habitat, if a tiger is present, visitors often get an unobstructed view – one reason Zone 6 has become popular among photographers and safari enthusiasts .
The Significance of Tiger Jai
Tiger Jai’s presence and survival are significant for Ranthambore’s ecosystem and heritage. He carries forward the lineage of his mother Ladli, one of the park’s well-known tigresses, and by fathering a new cub he helps ensure the tiger population remains robust . As a dominant male, Jai keeps rivals out of Zone 6 and maintains balance by preying on deer, boar, and other herbivores, which prevents any single species from overpopulating. Each tiger in Ranthambore is an “umbrella species” – protecting them indirectly protects countless other animals and the health of the forest. Jai’s success is thus a marker of the park’s effective conservation efforts. Just a couple of decades ago, tiger numbers here were perilously low; today, Ranthambore National Park tigers number in the dozens and continue to increase, thanks to careful wildlife management and anti-poaching measures.
Best Time to Visit Ranthambore for Tiger Sightings
The story of Jai’s April sighting also highlights timing. Generally, the best time to see tigers in Ranthambore is from November through April , when the weather is dry and cool. The park is open to visitors from October to June (and fully closed during the monsoon). Many tourists prefer the winter months, but the hotter months of April, May, and June can actually offer higher chances of sightings . As waterholes shrink in the heat, tigers like Jai are drawn into the open to drink, often giving lucky safari-goers clear views . April, in fact, sits at this sweet spot – still within the tourist season and right when tigers are most active near water sources. Whenever you visit, remember that patience is key. Booking multiple safaris and exploring different zones (including Zone 6) will improve your odds of an encounter with a Ranthambore tiger.
Conclusion: The April 19 encounter with T-108 Tiger Jai in Zone 6 is a vivid reminder of why Ranthambore remains one of India’s premier wildlife destinations. It combined compelling storytelling and factual wonder – a real-life glimpse of a dominant tiger in his element. Such moments inspire awe and underscore the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures. For the tourists who locked eyes with Jai that day, it was a dream come true. For everyone else, it’s a tantalizing invitation – Ranthambore wildlife awaits, and if you embark on a tiger safari here, you might just witness the next chapter in this ongoing documentary of the wild.
