A brave Beat Guard from the Satpura Tiger Reserve Smt Sudha Dhurve set an example of supreme courage and presence of mind when she saved not just her own life, but also those of her two male colleagues from a tiger. When encountered by a tiger face-to-face while on her regular beat duty in the core area of the tiger reserve, she stopped at once and stayed put facing the tiger without turning her back; she also prevented her two male colleagues from running by forcefully holding their hands. The tiger, as often is with the big cats, too held back in its position. The impasse lasted for almost an hour, and then the tiger left. Had the three beat guards tried to save themselves by running away, the tiger without doubt would have followed and the results could have been disastrous.

     TIFF feels glad to felicitate Smt Sudha Dhurve with the Tigerland Epitome of Courage Award 2019.