The vegetation that towered above us was filled with droning and whining crickets, as the Jeep we sat in bounced and jostled along the muddy, dirt road. There was a rustle, as a shape stepped forward from the brush. People gasped and whipped out cameras and phones. My heart pumped as I wildly looked around, confused. Then, I saw it.
Greetings from Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve. Known for it’s tigers and large concentration of Asiatic elephants, Nagarhole is one of the 50 tiger reserves established in India. 70% of the world’s tigers live in India. Project Tiger is a tiger conservation program established in the 70’s to protect the endangered Bengal tigers that are all over India. Nagarhole is seperated from Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve by the Kabini reservoir. Both national parks used to be hunting grounds for the royal family of Mysore, before they were established as sanctuaries. My mother, my grandparents, and I stayed at the Kabini River Lodge on the banks of the Kabini reservoir, and experienced the wonders of the jungle surrounding us. We saw stunning, once-in-a-lifetime sights that we will remember long after this trip ends. Here are my top 7 most amazing experiences, in the form of a poem.
7. Eagle In A Tree
The proud eagle looked over their kingdom,
Perched regally upon a high branch.
A coughing sputter rumbled from a distance,
As a noisy Jeep bumbled along the rocky path.
The eagle knew what was coming;
The pictures and exclamations,
The pointing and binoculars.
Still,
The eagle stayed,
And let them.
6. Crocodile Resting On River Banks
The solitary creature rested on the bank,
Snarling at whatever came close.
A motorboat rumbled loudly,
Coming closer,
Closer.
The crocodile wished it could be left alone in peace,
Away from confusion and judgement.
Judgement.
That is what the crocodile hated.
5. Python
We were clueless,
Then,
Of the wonders we might see,
But now,
The thick snake slithered through the grass,
It’s oily body inching towards the tree.
Not so clueless now.
4. Elephants
The little elephant peeked out of it’s shelter of female elephants.
The two-week old baby did not know the dangers of the jungle.
It’s dark eyes gazed at the loud,
Green Jeep that bumped across the mud.
People stared at it,
Scrutinised it.
The calf turned away,
And crept back into the shadows of it’s mother.
3. Dancing Peacock
The peacock did not know embarrassment,
As he shook his fanned out tail feathers
And wagged his puffed behind.
He strutted,
And hopped,
And spun,
Hoping a peahen looked on.
All he saw was a green Jeep.
Pleased to see an audience,
He squawked to let them know he approved of their looking on.
He shook more vigorously and slowed his spinning,
Displaying his large fan of tail feathers.
The Jeep drove off,
But the peacock danced on,
Thrilled to know that he might have a chance.
2. Tigers
Three safaris we had taken,
one by river and two by Jeep,
and still we had seen no tigers.
We had hope on the last safari,
As we bounced through the jungle.
We kept watch on both sides,
Nervously glancing at the trees and searching the grass and bushes with our eyes.
They slinked towards us,
Their heads bowed down low.
The edge of the Jeep was crowded with cell phones and cameras that clicked and flashed.
The big cats prowled in the shadows and across the road.
Mother and cubs,
Searching the jungle.
The mother came close to the Jeep,
Holding the gaze of the anxious humans that leaned towards her.
She continued into the green,
On the hunt.
The moments that followed were filled with a burst of feverish excitement,
As we followed the majestic tigress.
But she was gone.
1.Spotted Deer Escapes Wild Dogs
The deer ran wildly,
His heart thumping madly in his head,
As the blood-thirsty wild dogs chased him,
Hungry for the flesh of a healthy deer.
The dogs snapped and snarled as the deer raced for his life,
Tears of desperation flying from his dark eyes.
The deer leapt and flew over the grass,
Charging for the glistening Kabini river.
He jumped from the banks and splashed into the water,
Swimming and kicking furiously,
Never looking back as he pushed for the other side.
As the deer reached the other side,
The dogs gazed ahead,
Defeated.
They turned and whined,
As the deer crawled out of the river,
And ran into the distance.
Many of these animals are endangered and it is important to take into consideration how our actions and choices can impact them. Kabini was an amazing experience and is one that I won’t soon forget.
Until next time,
Cyanjasmine11
Tranquil & Tumultuous Travels 