Hopefully, you’ll never face a tiger up close, unless it’s in a children’s play, puppet show or some sort of interactive story time. If you do, however, it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe as tigers in the wild are extremely dangerous. Here are some top tips.

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2. 1. Don’t Run!!

While your natural instinct might be to run, it’s important to stay very still and avoid sudden movements. Tigers are natural predators and therefore if you run away you might trigger their instinct to chase you. Tigers can reach speeds of up to 40 mph, so don’t even attempt to outrun them. Your heart is sure to be pounding through your chest, but remaining as calm as possible will avoid startling the tiger and give you the best chance of survival. 

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2. 2. Make Yourself Appear Larger 

If you encounter a tiger in the wild, try to make yourself as big as possible to deter the tiger from approaching. Raise your arms as well as an item of clothing above your head and maintain a strong, upright posture to appear more intimidating. If you’re in a group, huddle together to form one large object as this should hopefully stop the tiger from coming near.

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2. 3. Back Away Slowly 
3. Getting away from the tiger without running is a top priority. Try to back away without turning your back to it. You need to be able to gauge its mood and actions at all times. Maintain light eye contact, but don’t stare directly into the tiger’s eyes as this could be perceived as a challenge, prompting the tiger to attack. Speaking to the tiger in a calm voice might also let the tiger know you’re not prey. 
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5. 4. Find a Barrier 

If you encounter a tiger in the jungle, try to put a barrier in between you and the creature. This could be a rock, tree, bush or anything else that will offer immediate protection if the tiger decides to pounce. If you’re able to climb a nearby tree, this is advisable, as tigers typically won’t follow potential prey up a tree. While leaping into a nearby river or lake may seem like a good idea, tigers are excellent swimmers and capable of hunting in water. 

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2. 5. Seek Help

If you manage to reach a place of safety, be sure to call for help. Both park rangers and local authorities are fully trained to handle dangerous encounters with tigers and will offer help and advice. As future encounters need to be prevented, it’s important to report what happened immediately as this could save lives. 

Top Tips To Avoid A Tiger Encounter 

• 1. Don’t venture into areas where tigers are known to roam freely, particularly if you are alone.
• 2. Avoid dawn and dusk as tigers like to hunt during these times.
• 3. Plan all hiking or travel routes carefully, and seek advice from local experts to avoid bumping into a tiger.

 If you want to encounter a tiger in a safe environment, why not book tickets to The Tiger Who Came to Tea? One of  the best theatre shows for families, it’s currently playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, as well as being on a UK tour. This children’s show is suitable for kids aged three and up.