Dr Latika Nath – Nat Geo’s Tiger Princess: Pioneering Conservation and Studying Big Cats in the Wild
- Tough Girl
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
From the jungles of India to the global stage of wildlife conservation, Dr Latika Nath has spent her life studying and protecting big cats, becoming the first woman in the world to study tigers in the wild. Known as Nat Geo’s “Tiger Princess,” she shares stories from deep in the forests where she observed tigers using tools, hunting porcupines, and navigating complex human-wildlife conflicts.
In this episode, Latika takes us on her journey from a childhood spent exploring the outdoors to pursuing her dream in a male-dominated field, studying elephants and tigers in the wild. She shares the challenges of working in remote areas, the lessons learned from female tigers, and her tireless efforts to combat poaching.
We also dive into her work as a conservation photographer, using images to tell stories that inspire action, and her advice for women and girls aiming to make their mark in conservation. Latika’s story is one of courage, dedication, and the belief that one person’s passion can make a world of difference.
🎧 This episode is for you if:
You love wildlife and big cats
You’re curious about conservation and sustainability
You want inspiration from a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated field
You’re motivated by stories of courage, resilience, and following your passions
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Listen to Latika Now!
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Show notes
Who is Dr Latika
Working as a Conservation Ecologist and conservation photographer
Being based out of Indian
Studying big cats all over the world
Using her photography to share stories about conservation
Working as an expert on Tourism and sustainability
Working with the Indian Planning Commission as an in-house advisor
Being an only child and spending most of her time outdoors
Living close to a National Park
Deciding at 6 years old that she wanted to be an ecologist
Being encouraged to pursue her dreams
People in the 1970s not knowing what an ecologist was
Not being able to study the subjects she wanted to
Being a girl in a male dominated field
Being the first woman in the world to study tigers
Moving over to the UK to continue her education at Bangor University, Wales
Doing her masters thesis on elephant and human conflict in Indian
How elephants follow the old memories
Her passion and interest in tigers
Wanting to study snow leopards initially
Terrorism in Kashmir and how it changed the direction of her life
Being inspired by Dr HS Pabla
The tiger population in India currently
Project tiger - being responsible for the conservation of the tiger in the wild
Being the only person in the park and being truly on her own in the wild with the animals
What it was like studying the tigers and the relationships that developed
Discovering new knowledge about tigers
Seeing tigers using tools
How tigers eat porcupines
The expedition logistics
Lessons learned from female tigers
The biggest danger to tigers going forward
How to combat poaching
Getting the nickname - The Tiger Princess
Being filmed by National Geographic for a 1hr documentary
Advice and tips for women and girls who want to enter the space of conservation
Advice for women around self belief and self confidence and why there work is important
What’s next for Dr Lakita
Writing her next book
Having a photography expedition in London in June 2026
How to connect with Dr Lakita
Final words of advice around following your passions and interests
Having good days and bad days - go one day, one step at a time and why it can make a big difference
Hang in there and take that one step everyday
Social Media
Website: www.latikanath.com
Instagram: @latikanath
Facebook: @nathlatika
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