12 incredible wildlife photos from India

This female tiger from Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh has contributed several litters to a population where each and every animal counts.

The Indian giant squirrel is aptly named. It can grow to the size of an average house cat. These large rodents are very agile climbers and, with a jump span of up to six metres, they rarely leave the trees.

Asian elephants drinking from a forest pool in the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka. 

A female leopard watches from the entrance of a cave that she has used as a safe retreat for her family in a remote region of Rajasthan.

Monkeys, such as these Bengal hanuman langurs, have colonised ruins such as the historic Ranthambore fortress. The ruins offer safe lookouts and hiding places, allowing for social activities such as grooming.

The Indian flying fox is common species that is widespread throughout India. Flying foxes feed mainly on ripe fruits, playing an important role in regenerating plant growth by dispersing seeds within their droppings.

Like all cubs, young sloth bears are inexperienced. Getting to know the world they live in is crucial, and they have to learn to tell the difference between friend or foe. This Indian peacock is completely harmless to them.

A marsh crocodile, or 'mugger', basks on a rock in the Kaveri river in Karnataka.

Greater flamingoes are attracted to small lakes in dry areas. However, they mainly feed on microorganisms which develop faster in seasonal water bodies.

Leopards will sometimes take refuge in the trees in order to avoid their stronger relatives, who can be a danger to them.

A Bengal hanuman langur rests in the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, while a carpet of flowering bougainvillea adds unusual colour to the scene.

Spotted deer cross a swamp at the Keoladeo National Park in eastern Rajasthan. While the adults are able to reach the ground and walk, the fawns are forced to swim. Any such commotion is of no bother to the birds, who know that these herbivores pose them no threat.

All the above photos are featured in the book Wild India by Axel Gomille, published by Papadakis, out now in all good bookshops.

For more information or to order a copy, see papadakis.net/books/wild-india/. 

For more on Axel Gomille, see axelgomille.com.