A tiger lives its life in distinct stages.
It is born helpless and mobile,
utterly dependent on its mother
and her milk for about two months.
Next the cub begins to mature,
but remains dependent upon the mother
as it travels with her and eats at her kills.
In the next phase the cub is independent of the mother,
but stays in her territory as it continues
to learn the ropes of being a tiger.
At about two years of age, it must set off on its own
to find a territory for itself.

And at every step of the way danger lurks
for even this greatest of cats.