“In January 2017,” I first arrived in India on that date. At that point, I was working as a vegan chef on my own in the bustling city of Paris. After completing a four-week yoga and Ayurveda course, I planned to spend the following month exploring this stunning nation. Much to my dismay that an exceptional experience would change my life for eternity.

I had always been a lover of animals, and over the years I had developed a passion for the majestic big cats: the lion. I had somehow been summoned by the striped animal. I have no idea why or what the purpose is, but receiving such a call is hard to resist.

More than 60% of the remaining wild tigers in the world can be found in India. The nation has designated many of its national parks as “Tiger Reserves” in order to protect the species, which is in serious danger of extinction. It was time for me to encounter my first wild animal.