Pablo Trilles Farrington
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bengal tigers 2025
Tiger Canyon is a private reserve located in South Africa that has gained recognition for its unique approach to the protection and conservation of Bengal tigers. Unlike traditional conservation efforts that focus on preserving species in their natural habitats, Tiger Canyon aims to provide a safe and controlled refuge for these tigers in an environment that simulates wild conditions, but outside their original habitat in Asia.
​
The purpose of Tiger Canyon is not only to provide a refuge for tigers but also to contribute to the long-term conservation of the species. Rather than focusing solely on the rescue of captive or zoo tigers, the reserve aims to provide a place where tigers can live more autonomously, within a large and relatively free space. The reserve spans over 1,000 hectares of wild terrain, allowing the tigers to hunt and explore, providing them with a quality of life much closer to what they would experience in the wild.
01
One summer morning, just before sunrise, we spotted an adult female heading towards a nearby stream. In reality, she wasn’t seeking to quench her thirst, but rather to meet a handsome male who was waking up in that area. The two of them shared the morning with affection, glances, and great complicity. They were very relaxed and didn’t mind our presence.
What made that morning magical was the warm light of the sunrise that filled the air, as if it were a fairy tale. It allowed me to capture beautiful scenes, as well as affectionate gestures from both tigers. In my opinion, it was the most precious "Golden minutes" I’ve experienced since I started photographing wildlife.
02
This young male was very intrigued by us and our photography equipment. What made the time we spent with this young tiger special was that he didn’t hesitate to pose in various stances, combining bravery with caution. Additionally, the sky, speckled with white clouds, provided a perfect backdrop for photographing him. After a few minutes, and without any warning, the young tiger continued his journey towards a bushy area to seek shelter in the shade and rest.
03
It was a hot evening, and at one of the waterholes, we observed an adult male relaxing and cooling off alone, without the presence of other tigers. Our arrival sparked his curiosity, and he couldn’t resist coming closer to investigate who we were and what we were doing there. For a few minutes, he walked around and posed for us.
04
While our guide was driving the 4x4 in search of tigers, we encountered a large male who didn’t hesitate to approach the vehicle and claim it as his own. Tigers mark their territory with urine, and vehicles are no exception. This large male was very curious and lingered around us for quite a while. He was probably unsure whether we were canned food or just a toy to play with.
​
​
​
05
Late in the afternoon, two young siblings rested atop a rocky hill. Upon seeing us arrive, they became intrigued by our presence and descended the hill to investigate. They were young, a female and a male. The young male seemed more confident, while the female appeared to be a skilled hunter. They stayed with us for the rest of the afternoon, until the light of day gave way to the twilight of the sunset.
Although it was an overcast afternoon, the last rays of sunlight made an appearance, allowing for some very warm and inviting photographs.
06
This is the dominant male of the area. He is in his full physical prime, showing great confidence and no fear. One of his pastimes is intimidating the other males, who, in their defense, have been forced to form coalitions to confront him.
Here are the photographs I was able to take at various moments during the trip.
​
​
​
​
