Probably the last photo taken of Bhola as a free tiger
Everytime I look at this photo I get very emotional! This was the last photo taken of those eyes still seeing freedom - just before it was tranquilised soon after and taken in captivity to a zoo. It was “suspected” of killing (not eating) 2-3 humans, and seems it was not clear if forest department had even caught the right “culprit”! Could have been Shiva too..
Just 2 years old, those eyes seem to be imploring us for hope, for justice, for freedom from those barbed wires (which very ironically are represented by the thorned bushes and branches). Just because we humans have the right to decide its fate, to decide unilaterally what is right or wrong. Just because we can enter their “homes” and then don’t want them to object or retaliate at all? For all its life it will now likely be in captivity. Not fair at all in my view (as much as I have empathy for the villagers who lost their near ones…).
