Corbett National Park Fauna
Corbett National Park, India’s first Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, is one of the oldest and most biodiverse national parks in the country. Known for its thriving population of Royal Bengal Tigers, the park boasts the highest tiger density in India—20 tigers per 100 sq. km—and is also home to over 600 Asiatic elephants. Beyond tigers and elephants, the park shelters a wide variety of wildlife, including Asiatic black bears, hog deer, sambar, sloth bears, yellow-throated martens, and otters. Corbett is also a haven for bird lovers, with more than 600 bird species, such as the great pied hornbill, white-backed vulture, Pallas’s fish eagle, and Indian pitta. Reptilian life thrives here too, featuring the critically endangered gharial, mugger crocodile, and the king cobra. With its remarkable fauna diversity, Corbett national park fauna remains a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature conservationists alike.
The Royal Bengal Tiger of Corbett
Corbett National Park, part of the once-rich Terai-Bhabar tiger habitat, was chosen as the launch site for Project Tiger in 1973, India’s first tiger conservation initiative. The park remains one of the best-protected tiger reserves in the country today. Tigers in Corbett prey on sambar, chital, barking deer, wild boar, and occasionally even young elephants. A high sambar population often indicates a healthy tiger presence. As apex predators, tigers play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the park.
The Royal Bengal Tiger is not only the most iconic inhabitant of Jim Corbett National Park but also a symbol of power, grace, and India’s deep-rooted connection with nature. Revered in Indian culture and mythology as the ruler of the forest, this majestic predator is central to the park’s identity and conservation legacy. Tigers are believed to have evolved in East Asia around two million years ago and gradually spread across the continent. Of the eight known tiger subspecies, only five survive today, and India is home to the largest wild tiger population in the world, with over 70% of Royal Bengal Tigers found within its borders. An estimated 3000 to 4500 Royal Bengal Tigers exist in the Indian subcontinent.
Conclusion:
The Royal Bengal Tiger is more than just a wildlife attraction in Corbett—it is a symbol of strength, balance, and national pride. As the apex predator, the tiger plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological harmony of the park. Corbett’s rich legacy in tiger conservation, beginning with Project Tiger, continues to protect this majestic species and its natural habitat. Preserving the tiger is preserving the soul of Corbett itself.