Updates from the jungle
Past few days have been very hectic and exciting.
I got to see all the predators in the forests – The tiger, the leopard and two packs of the Indian wild dogs. Also saw few bears, elephants and lots of amazing birds. All the photos will be up once I’m back in Bangalore (which is this wednesday). The connectivity here is too slow.
Weekend was hectic. Too many guests poured in here and I ran out of place to stay. Somehow survived in the forest guesthouse and now I’m back in my room since all the guests are gone. Few guests were good, but few of them come here just to drink all day and make loads of noise. Have to put up with all of them. Yathin, Noella, Bipin, Ramnath and Praveen were down here over the weekend. Pleasant company and had a nice time with them.
Politics are creeping up here. Since I take the guests out now, the manager is getting pissed off. He used to take lot of pride in taking the guests out and got kicks when his name was mentioned in the visitors book etc. Now since my name appears and the folks in the head office read that, he is very pissed and trying to get back at me 😉
From today, I start driving one of the jeeps since now I know all the routes in the jungle and know what to do in case of elephant charges.
What does one do in case of elephant charges?
Depends on your position with respect to the elephant and what kinda elephant you are looking at.
If its a female, a herd of older elephants we go closer. IF the mother has a baby, we know it will do a mock charge. So though it will be dramatic, the jeep stays still and the elephants usually backs off ( Ofcourse I keep the engine running just in case the elephant decides to come all the way )
Huge tuskers are unpredictable. So if we see them, we try not to get close to them in the first place. If the male elephant is in heat (mating time), then we know it will charge and we just stay really far away.
While driving the jeep, I usually try to pass the elephants and then stop and look back. So even if there is a charge, I just drive off. If they are blocking the way, then I stay really far away till they pass. And ofcourse I keep the engine running all the time 🙂
Cool, you ought to write a book on your experiences. (With photos of course)
pay up and come back. :p
I had two really good elephant charges. But was too busy running away then taking snaps 😀
But hope to catch a picture of a good elephant charge before I finish this stunt.
😀
Stunt ot stint? Although both are appropriate 🙂
I had the same question.
What do you do on weekdays? Not many guests on weekdays I guess.
that’s where the real fun and adventure is I guess, when you have time to explore the jungle and do some photography in peace.
Oye! stick around till we have had a chance to get there 😀
Nice to know you are having fun
Pardon this, but I know this chap who wants to send a telegram / email to the tiger.
Gungu is just a simple guy making a living. I guess you should ignore him, or perhaps attempt to share your world view. I do not know if this is a passion with him. It is with you.
I envy your experience. You will definitely have a much better understanding of the entire ecosystem because of this experience. That largely includes the human sentiment and myopic thinking. Your ability to use this enriching experience will be most awesome takeaway (Apart from the pictures 🙂 and unbelievable serenity of the place).
I have been there a number of times (JLR Properties, K Gudi is my fav) and so far have found only a few guys that knew what they were doing. Else it is just another job, or macho tendencies or for one guy an opportunity to load his resume so that he could milch international funds for a proposed NGO.
When you meet guys like Harsha, you know there is hope.
How about the Forest Department Officials? It will be interesting to know. Things look very different from the grassroots perspectives they boast off.
My two bits. I don’t know if you appreciate my intrusion. If you do not, pardon me, I will keep off.
too cool..i wish yathin gets an experience with an elephant charge;))..
u know all the routes … wooow … that is awesome … eager to see u’r write ups on these experiences 🙂
i wish he gets an elephant itself 😉
and when is that ? 😉
Re: Nice to know you are having fun
Gungu is just a simple guy making a living. I guess you should ignore him, or perhaps attempt to share your world view. I do not know if this is a passion with him. It is with you.
Yep. I do not hate him or anything like that. We get along well and these are just work issues 🙂
I envy your experience. You will definitely have a much better understanding of the entire ecosystem because of this experience. That largely includes the human sentiment and myopic thinking. Your ability to use this enriching experience will be most awesome takeaway (Apart from the pictures 🙂 and unbelievable serenity of the place).
Yep exactly. No matter how much you read about the plants and animals, there is nothing like the real thing. Here I have spent lot of time with drivers like thapa , the tribal here who takes us on the treks, the folks who take care of the elephants etc and you won’t believe how much these folks really know. Am glad they are pretty comfortable with me and are sharing stuff with me.
I have been there a number of times (JLR Properties, K Gudi is my fav) and so far have found only a few guys that knew what they were doing. Else it is just another job, or macho tendencies or for one guy an opportunity to load his resume so that he could milch international funds for a proposed NGO. When you meet guys like Harsha, you know there is hope.
Well said. Harsha is the reason why I am doing this whole thing in the first place. I owe everybit of this to him. I met him on one of my bandipur trips and since then been going back to the same place and he was the one who make me give a serious thought about this whole thing. He is my inspiration 🙂
How about the Forest Department Officials? It will be interesting to know. Things look very different from the grassroots perspectives they boast off.
The forest department by itself is pretty good and they *really* do care about the forests and the wildlife. Its few folks in the middle who ruin it all. The folks here are really kind and they actually go out of their way to conserver the animals and preserve the forests.
My two bits. I don’t know if you appreciate my intrusion. If you do not, pardon me, I will keep off.
really glad to hear your comments. Keep posting 🙂
Re: Nice to know you are having fun
Thanks.
Happy Sightings. Hope to catch you there sometime, work permitting.
Anil
let me know.
Soon I would say – how long do you plan to be there?
Happy Birthday 🙂
happy birthday.
foolmaker
Happy B’day. You seem to be enjoying your new role in the new year. May this year be even better.
-balaji
Hey, happy birthday! Sorry I’m late.
Happy birthday. Continue living your dream.
OT
Happy Birthday!
bday
…………..HAPPY BIRTHDAY……… K…….
Re: bday
Thank you. finally on LJ I see
Re: OT
Thanks dude.
very much on time 🙂 thanks