The astonishing moment when a 660-pound tiger attacks the deadliest bears in the world is captured in a series of stunning photos.
In one photo, the Bengal tiger knocked the 300-pound sloth bear to the ground as it temporarily gained the upper hand.
In another case, the six-foot-tall bear stood up again and began patting the big cat with its paws and teeth, causing it to retract.
Photographer, naturalist and tour leader Arpit Parekh, 33, from Palghar, India, captured incredible photos at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, India.
(Photo: Mediadrumimages / Arpit Parekh)
The rare encounter occurred 1,000 yards from the Arpit craft, and lasted for 30 minutes.
“The tiger was enjoying an afternoon nap when it suddenly slammed into the nearby forest,” Arbet said.
“We heard a screaming and quickly realized that the tiger had got into a fight with a sloth bear. They finally moved out into the open.
(Photo: Mediadrumimages / Arpit Parekh)
(Photo: Mediadrumimages / Arpit Parekh)
“The tiger was able to sink its teeth into the bear and we thought the bear would die, but quickly exhausted the tiger and left it. The bleeding sloth bear attacked the tiger and bit it on the leg.
Finally, after an uphill battle, the two giants decided to quit and walk away from each other.
“It was a moment in a lifetime to witness and illustrate how difficult life in the woods can be.
(Photo: Mediadrumimages / Arpit Parekh)
(Photo: Mediadrumimages / Arpit Parekh)
“Look at what both animals have to do to access water: They have to face the challenges of life and death. It really confirms what a precious resource for water is.”
Sloth bears may have a great furry front, but they are the deadliest bears.
The most famous of these was known as the “Mysore sloth bear”.
This bear was killed in 1957, killing 12 people and shaking two more.
Arpit took pictures with his Canon EOS 750D, using a Canon 55-250mm lens.
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