Matkasur (T-49): Tiger of Tadoba — Life, Lineage & Status
Quick Answer
Matkasur (T-49) is a male tiger of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Status: historical profile. Official narrative places a documented 2019 sighting near Ainbodi waterhole in the Pandharpauni landscape. Matkasur’s imposing presence made him a widely photographed male, but descriptive reputation is not a substitute for a dated monitoring record.
- Identifier
- T-49 in a 2024 official account
- Sex
- Male
- Record period
- Dominant male documented in 2019
- Current status
- Historical profile
Highlights
- A May 2024 Tadoba Diaries article identifies the male as T-49, popularly called Matkasur.
- Reliable public material is stronger on sightings than his own parentage.
- Official narrative places a documented 2019 sighting near Ainbodi waterhole in the Pandharpauni landscape.
- The conflicting public identifiers attached to Matkasur demonstrate why each biography needs explicit source notes.
Lead photo: Matkasur, as identified by the photographer on Wikimedia Commons. Other photos show Tadoba tigers.
Who Is Matkasur?
A May 2024 Tadoba Diaries article identifies the male as T-49, popularly called Matkasur. Other secondary sources use different numbers, so this page retains the official publication’s identifier and flags the discrepancy.
Tigers are recognised individually by their stripe patterns, which are as unique as fingerprints. Nicknames used by guides and visitors may differ from formal codes, so this page states which source each identifier comes from.
Matkasur: Timeline of Key Events
Dated events in Matkasur's life, from official reserve publications and dated news reports.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Documented at Ainbodi waterhole in the Pandharpauni landscape. |
| May 2024 | Official Tadoba Diaries article refers to him as T-49. |
Matkasur's Family and Cubs
Reliable public material is stronger on sightings than his own parentage. Press reports (The Hitavada, 2025) name him as the father of Chhota Matka (T-126).
Relationships are described as verified only when an official record supports them; otherwise they are labelled as attributed.
Where Did Matkasur Live in Tadoba?
Official narrative places a documented 2019 sighting near Ainbodi waterhole in the Pandharpauni landscape.
Tiger territories shift with age, competition, breeding and water. A historical range is not present-day sighting advice, and Wild Excursions does not publish live locations.
Matkasur's Life Story
Matkasur’s imposing presence made him a widely photographed male, but descriptive reputation is not a substitute for a dated monitoring record.
Is Matkasur Alive? Current Status
Status: Historical profile. This wording changes only when an official or otherwise authoritative dated record supports it.
Useful evidence includes forest-department statements, camera-trap identity records, post-mortem or rescue reports and dated, credited photographs.
Why Matkasur Matters
The conflicting public identifiers attached to Matkasur demonstrate why each biography needs explicit source notes.
Individual stories build public support for conservation, but the reserve protects a population, its prey and connected habitat — not celebrity animals alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matkasur's ID in Tadoba?
T-49 in a 2024 official account. A May 2024 Tadoba Diaries article identifies the male as T-49, popularly called Matkasur.
Is Matkasur still alive?
Historical profile.
Where was Matkasur seen in Tadoba?
Official narrative places a documented 2019 sighting near Ainbodi waterhole in the Pandharpauni landscape. This page does not publish live locations.
Who are Matkasur's parents or cubs?
Reliable public material is stronger on sightings than his own parentage. Press reports (The Hitavada, 2025) name him as the father of Chhota Matka (T-126).
Can I see Matkasur on a Tadoba safari?
No individual tiger can be guaranteed on a safari. Routes are allocated by the forest department and tigers move freely; book drives across zones for the best overall odds.
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Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Male tiger Matkasur walking past a rocky waterhole in Tadoba — Sundarraj Kaushik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Matkasur at the Pandharpauni waterhole while sambar wait nearby — BASUDEO69, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tiger almost hidden in tall golden grass in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — Eeshan Sonak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bengal tigress with her cub at the edge of tall grass in Tadoba — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Young Bengal tigress playing with her sibling in Tadoba — AJAY CHANDWANI, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Radio-collared tigress cooling off in water in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — PR Ganapathy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tigress Maya and her three cubs near Telia lake, Tadoba — Parag.naik, CC BY-SA 4.0
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