British wildlife photographer documents charming footage of tiger mum tending to cub

A British wildlife photographer has documented charming footage of a tiger mother tending to her cubs.

Guide and conservationist Paul Goldstein spotted the striped family resting in the trees at Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh, last month (April).

He believes the mum was resting on a hot Indian morning after a night suckling the ten-week-old youngsters.

Paul, from Wimbledon, explains: “'I have worked with local guides in Bandhavgarh for well over 20 years. My dear friend Pappu often jokes that mums keep their cubs from me.

“This all changed last week when we found the mother who initially looked tired. It was unsurprising as she had probably suckled several times in the night and although early it was fearfully hot.

“She lay in the forest and after a while first one but then three more cubs appeared.

“Tiger cubs below three months are pretty much the fauna grail and my group were ecstatic as was I. To watch them cuddle their mother's muzzle would move even the most cold-hearted.

“It is hard enough for mum to raise four of them but when you consider what is happening to tigers elsewhere, these kittens have a decent chance of reaching adulthood.”

Paul has done more for Bengal tigers than most. Next month he runs the Everest marathon in his fabled tiger suit in Nepal (his 20th in this unique costume), having raised hundreds of thousands for this priceless predator. He has shown hundreds of wildlife clients their first tiger but has taken 24 years to photograph baby cubs.