Smart Animals
Large or small, animal instinct is not to be taken lightly
CAMERA-WEARY MOTHER R VIDHYAPARVATHY
In 2013, back in my home country of India, a group of five of us from our office, along with our guide, camped at Parambikulam Forest for five days. We set off hoping to see some wildlife, learn about the environment and have a relaxing break from our lives working in IT.
On the first day, we saw peacocks and deer. On the second, more peacocks and more deer. On day three, tired of taking peacock and deer selfies, we went deeper into the forest but were greeted by more peacocks and deer!
By day four, we gave up hope of seeing anything else and trekked down to a river bank. After an uneventful hour we heard a loud cry. Our guide, a local tribesman, deduced it was a deer alerting its herd to danger.That’s when my friend Bibin pointed at something that got everyone in the group excited. But all I saw were trees. “Eleven of them I guess,” our guide started to explain. “Five females and the rest are young. Herds like these are cautious. If they feel that you will harm their young, you are dead!” I looked around again and still had no idea what the rest of the group was looking at. Then, someone’s camera clicked. In a jiffy, a giant elephant threw away what she was eating and walked towards us with thundering steps. This was the first time I had glimpsed elephants in the wild, so initially I was terribly excited. My excitement turned to fear as the mother elephant approached. I saw her herd behind her eating peacefully. She stopped 100 metres You could earn cash by telling us about the antics of unique pets or wildlife. Turn to page 8 for details on how to contribute.
from us, extended her ears wide and trumpeted so loudly that birds flew away from nearby trees.
“Sit down, stay low and act harmless,” our guide whispered. Mother elephant stood still, staring at us for some time. A million thoughts raced through my head: What will happen if I run? Will I be killed?
We are not dangerous, I said to her in my head. We won’t hurt you. Please go back. As if she read my mind, the mother elephant raised her trunk and walked back to the herd to continue her lunch. My thoughts and her reaction might just be a coincidence, but it felt like we spoke that day.