Mala is a four-year-old tigress and an adult daughter of Goma. Young tigers only leave their mothers at around two years of age, so Mala has not been independent for long.
An adult daughter of Goma
Mala’s male siblings have dispersed and left the area, but she has set up home next to Goma, inheriting part of her mother’s territory. This behaviour is common among solitary big cats like tigers and leopards, where mothers cede a piece of their territory to their daughters and live tolerantly as neighbours. This may be a strategy to minimise conflict and help their offspring survive.
At the time of filming, Mala has three cubs, aged three months. She faces a steep learning curve as a first-time mother, and must work out how to protect and provide for her family all on her own.
