Team-BHP - View Single Post - Wild Animals

Harrie · 12th June 2007, 21:35

After the recent monsoon mayhem, I thought this thread makes a lot of sense.
I have been travelling through the Satyamangalam, Bandipur and Wayand forest ranges quite frequently over the past three years.

My few cents on what I learnt regarding driving through forests / chance encounter with the animals

Wildlife in South India

Elephants - This powerful gentle gaint can turn ruthless suddenly and can wreck havoc like no ones business. You have reason to fear and take precaution. Ask charen who has spent the whole night on a 20 feet high watch tower hiding from a pack of elephants. These gaints also cause the most number of deaths each year.

Elephants have a very keen smell and can sniff you out if you are up wind. Keep in mind that these are very intelligent beings too. They are usually found in herds and are very protective about their little ones. Woe betide anyone who harms a little one - knowingly or unkowningly.

The ones that are found separate - Lone tuskers are the most dangerous of the lot. They are usually in a rage and attack anything they see.

Bisons - Ok strictly speaking these are not bisons but the smaller variety called Gaurs. These one tonne beasts are very gentle. They stick to eating the grass and care about nothing else. You can stop and take photos of them provided you are at a reasonable distance. But always stay in the car. Keep the engine running and be ready to flee.

Deers - You can typically find the spotted variety which are normal size, the unspotted ones which can grow as big as a big calf. Nothing much to say about these humble little things.

Boar - A humble herbivore which keeps to its own business. Usually scamper when they see humans. But will attack ruthlessly when provoked. Since we arent Steve Irwin, better consider them hostile and stay away.

Predators - Most of them are very shy and wary about us humans. They hardly get in sight of us or wander near the roads. What you can see normally is leopards and at times the elusive panthers. Tigers are usually found only in the interiors and that too not so readily. But still dont risk getting out of the car in the night - you might never know.

Wild dogs - These are the most cunning, ruthless, savage predators that you can find. They hunt in packs and are very cunning. These are very much present in our forests and in pretty good numbers too. They look exactly like a street dog, but dont be fooled.

Bears - Not the cute and cuddly kind. You might never run into them unless you are trekking through the forests. These are very absent minded creatures and will start chasing you. Half way through they tend to forget what they are doing adn walk away. But they maul people to death. So take care when trekking.

Driving through forests

Whenever possible keep behind a truck, bus or atleast with some other cars. Driving alone is potentially dangerous esp. if you dont know the roads all that well.
Drive at no more than 60 kmph. This way you get to enjoy the drive and also watch out for wildlife.
Keep your eyes peeled out. Dont just look at the roads. Keep your speed at a comfortable pace and scan the forests on both sides
Never speed or take corners at speed. You never know what awaits you around the corner. Elephants and bisons dont take kindly to being bumped from behind
If its in the night, keep your speed really less. Alternate you high and low beams to catch any movements. Bisons and elephants are all but invisible during the night. More so with the elephants which are visible only from about 10-15 feet away
It pays to know what the elephant / deer corridors are. These animals mostly cross the roads at fixed locations.

Encounter with wildlife

Elephants, Bisons

If they are in the middle of the road, stop your car a good 20-30 feet in front.
Switch off your headlights, music system and roll up your windows
Dont make a noise or get out of the car.
MOST IMPORTANTLY - NO CAMERA FLASHES
If the animal thinks you are not a threat they usualy continue with their work and move off the road pretty soon

Deers, Wild boar

These are pretty harmless creatures unless provoked.
Switch off your headlights and they will run away pretty soon
You can risk a camera flash if its a deer. But no getting out of the car whatsoever.
When provoked, deers are know to kick cars so hard that you can bust a radiator.
Similarly with wild boars. These are very ferocious when provoked and can maul a human to death.

Signs to Watch out for

A single elephant trumpetting loudly - Stay away at all costs. Turn and run for it if you have to. These are the human killers that can wreck cars before you can say ABC
Bisons fighting. You can at times see two fully grown males locking their horns over a female ( Happens even with animals ). Dont stop to take photos. Just continue driving. A Nat geo award winning photo is not worth the risk

Genral Donts

Dont stop your car to relive yourself - esp. in the night no matter what
No booze parties / picnics in the middle of the forest. Animals are very territorial beings and dont take kindly to intruders.
Dont litter, light fires, throw plastic bags

12th June 2007, 21:35	#1 (permalink)
Harrie BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: KA 03, KL 12, TN 38 Posts: 582	Wild Animals - A survival Guide After the recent monsoon mayhem, I thought this thread makes a lot of sense. I have been travelling through the Satyamangalam, Bandipur and Wayand forest ranges quite frequently over the past three years. My few cents on what I learnt regarding driving through forests / chance encounter with the animals Wildlife in South India Elephants - This powerful gentle gaint can turn ruthless suddenly and can wreck havoc like no ones business. You have reason to fear and take precaution. Ask charen who has spent the whole night on a 20 feet high watch tower hiding from a pack of elephants. These gaints also cause the most number of deaths each year. Elephants have a very keen smell and can sniff you out if you are up wind. Keep in mind that these are very intelligent beings too. They are usually found in herds and are very protective about their little ones. Woe betide anyone who harms a little one - knowingly or unkowningly. The ones that are found separate - Lone tuskers are the most dangerous of the lot. They are usually in a rage and attack anything they see. Bisons - Ok strictly speaking these are not bisons but the smaller variety called Gaurs. These one tonne beasts are very gentle. They stick to eating the grass and care about nothing else. You can stop and take photos of them provided you are at a reasonable distance. But always stay in the car. Keep the engine running and be ready to flee. Deers - You can typically find the spotted variety which are normal size, the unspotted ones which can grow as big as a big calf. Nothing much to say about these humble little things. Boar - A humble herbivore which keeps to its own business. Usually scamper when they see humans. But will attack ruthlessly when provoked. Since we arent Steve Irwin, better consider them hostile and stay away. Predators - Most of them are very shy and wary about us humans. They hardly get in sight of us or wander near the roads. What you can see normally is leopards and at times the elusive panthers. Tigers are usually found only in the interiors and that too not so readily. But still dont risk getting out of the car in the night - you might never know. Wild dogs - These are the most cunning, ruthless, savage predators that you can find. They hunt in packs and are very cunning. These are very much present in our forests and in pretty good numbers too. They look exactly like a street dog, but dont be fooled. Bears - Not the cute and cuddly kind. You might never run into them unless you are trekking through the forests. These are very absent minded creatures and will start chasing you. Half way through they tend to forget what they are doing adn walk away. But they maul people to death. So take care when trekking. Driving through forests Whenever possible keep behind a truck, bus or atleast with some other cars. Driving alone is potentially dangerous esp. if you dont know the roads all that well. Drive at no more than 60 kmph. This way you get to enjoy the drive and also watch out for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled out. Dont just look at the roads. Keep your speed at a comfortable pace and scan the forests on both sides Never speed or take corners at speed. You never know what awaits you around the corner. Elephants and bisons dont take kindly to being bumped from behind If its in the night, keep your speed really less. Alternate you high and low beams to catch any movements. Bisons and elephants are all but invisible during the night. More so with the elephants which are visible only from about 10-15 feet away It pays to know what the elephant / deer corridors are. These animals mostly cross the roads at fixed locations. Encounter with wildlife Elephants, Bisons If they are in the middle of the road, stop your car a good 20-30 feet in front. Switch off your headlights, music system and roll up your windows Dont make a noise or get out of the car. MOST IMPORTANTLY - NO CAMERA FLASHES If the animal thinks you are not a threat they usualy continue with their work and move off the road pretty soon Deers, Wild boar These are pretty harmless creatures unless provoked. Switch off your headlights and they will run away pretty soon You can risk a camera flash if its a deer. But no getting out of the car whatsoever. When provoked, deers are know to kick cars so hard that you can bust a radiator. Similarly with wild boars. These are very ferocious when provoked and can maul a human to death. Signs to Watch out for A single elephant trumpetting loudly - Stay away at all costs. Turn and run for it if you have to. These are the human killers that can wreck cars before you can say ABC Bisons fighting. You can at times see two fully grown males locking their horns over a female ( Happens even with animals ). Dont stop to take photos. Just continue driving. A Nat geo award winning photo is not worth the risk Genral Donts Dont stop your car to relive yourself - esp. in the night no matter what No booze parties / picnics in the middle of the forest. Animals are very territorial beings and dont take kindly to intruders. Dont litter, light fires, throw plastic bags __________________ Its like turbo lag. But funny there isn't a turbo.