There is something special about seeing a wild animal in its natural environment, whether it’s a majestic elephant wandering through the savannah or a graceful deer darting through the forest. But spotting wild animals can be bit of a challenge, especially if you’re new to it. Let us take you through the journey of Kavya Vilwanathan, our dearest naturalist, and live vicariously through the exhilarating experiences at Tadoba.
A talented photographer who has caught her encounters with nature and preserved them in memory, fascinatingly these images have become a part of our memories too. Take this short journey along with us and learn about the magnificent creature Kavya and her guests have sighted while on their expedition through the forests.
The Elusive Leopard
Kavya and her group drove towards a bund alongside a canal that borders the jungle from the village. At the bund, they spotted a leopard sitting in the shade looking into the bamboos. After the leopard got up and walked towards the bamboos, the group realised that all that while the leopard had been watching the peafowls and was planning to hunt them. Leopard sightings can be rare and is certainly a special experience to see one in the wild. These skilled predators are known for stalking their prey before making a quick attack.
The Unique Chausingha
The group then came across a family of four-horned antelopes, also known as Chausinghas (Tetracerus quadricornis), which are unique even-toed hooved mammals with males having four horns. These beautiful small animals are found only in the India peninsula. The Chausingha family was crossing the road when the group spotted them. The mother and one fawn ran into the bushes while the other curious fawn stood there looking at the group and allowed them to capture its sheer beauty for a minute.
The Colourful Green Bee-eater
The Green Bee-eater is a beautiful and vibrant bird with long black tail streamers. It is interesting to learn that these birds can be easily spotted flying around and that their colours are best appreciated when viewed through binoculars. The Green Bee-eater is certainly a stunning species, and we were glad that we had the opportunity to observe and appreciate it in person during the trek through Tadoba’s green forests.
The Majestic Tiger
In the Zari Peth zone, just 20 minutes before exiting the gate, it was starting to get dark when the group saw an animal crossing the path. They realised it was a big cat, a tiger, and the driver was immediately asked to stop at that spot. Right after crossing the path, the tiger sat by the road for a minute and Kavya and the group were able to take a few photos of it in low light. It turns out that the tiger was the daughter of Kuwani from Kolsa, moving to the Peth zone to check the area and establish her territory.
It is clear that there are many amazing and diverse species of wildlife all around us, and the opportunity to see them in their natural habitats is a truly special and memorable experience. Whether it is a tiger crossing the forest, a family of Chausinghas roaming the paths, or a Green Bee-eater flying through the air, these encounters remind us of the beauty and majesty of the natural world and inspire us to protect and preserve these precious creatures for future generations.
