Deep within the entangled mangrove forest on the Bay of Bengal lies the dominion of a creature seldom encountered by humans. Revered as a fearsome predator and man-eater, the legendary swamp tiger reigns as one of the most efficient hunters on Earth. These elusive beasts have thwarted all attempts to track them in the impenetrable swamps, leaving behind a trail of failed endeavors.
Over a decade ago, cinematographer Mike Herd achieved a remarkable breakthrough by capturing the swamp tiger on film for the first time. This fleeting and tantalizing glimpse provided the world with an extraordinary insight into the clandestine existence of the least-known tiger species—the Bangladeshi Sundarbans’ swamp tiger.
The initial footage of the tiger was both captivating and all too brief, but it ignited an unyielding passion within Mike. Determined to unravel the mysteries of this enigmatic creature, he resolved to return. However, the remote and treacherous Sundarbans demanded constant armed protection, day and night. Within its sprawling expanse of 6,000 square miles (10,000 square kilometers), a mere few hundred tigers lurked, concealed from sight, necessitating the arduous task of tracking them on foot.
Emerging from the Himalayas, four mighty rivers traverse Bangladesh, splintering into a network of small streams and channels that eventually merge with the Bay of Bengal. This intricate maze forms a mangrove delta, an amalgamation of sandy banks and mud, tightly bound together by interwoven roots.
Amidst the floodwaters, unfortunate souls are swept downstream, their lifeless bodies deposited on the muddy banks of the Sundarbans. Such encounters have cultivated a taste for human flesh among certain tigers. Every year, scores of people fall victim to these apex predators, leaving the impoverished with no alternatives. Fishermen, spending months aboard their boats, constantly strive to evade the marauding bandits who plunder their catches and belongings.
On the muddied banks, the first discernible trace of the tiger emerges—an array of fresh paw prints leading deep into the forest. Further evidence manifests in the form of colossal claw marks etched upon a tree. The air is heavy with the pungent scent of tiger, leading Mike to believe that a tigress must be in the vicinity.
