Jaldapara Part-3
We are now going deep inside the jungle. Here the trees are standing closer to each other. The mahaut is driving the elephant navigating through the jungle. He is being careful to choose the route not to hurt the passengers. He is moving away the tree branches so that we do not hit them. But still we are struggling to keep ourselves safe from the tree branches. There may be ant or other insects on these branches and may land on our bodies. I am watching my legs so that they don't get break or cut and moving them quickly as per the situation.
We are busy to keep the twigs away from our bodies
After a dense patch we can see a sparse patch. Again a dense patch in no time. After moving some time we have found the other elephant. We could not see it after crossing the stream. We are following it now. But again we are moving away in our own direction.
We have now reached to a grassland. Here we may have chance to have sight of rhino. After some time our mahaut has found a rhino and we are moving towards it. Yes we all can see it now. A big rhino is standing inside the long grasses. We have now reached near the rhino. The rhino is watching us. We are making a circle around it. The rhino has its horn broken. It is bleeding from some places at the backside too. The mahaut is informing us that this rhino was in a fight with another rhino. So it has got injured in that fight.
The wounded rhino
We all are excited to see the rhino. We are taking photos of it. We are making big circles around it. The elephant carrying the other tourist group has now come out of the jungle into the grassland. Our mahaut is informing the other mahaut about the presence of the rhino by some gestures. Now they are coming towards this rhino.
We are now moving away from the wounded rhino. After moving for some time we can see another big rhino standing still inside the grassland. Our mahaut is telling us that this is the rhino with whom the previous rhino was in fight. We are again making a circle around it. The rhino is watching us and it is getting angry. We are thrilled and afraid too. What if the rhino attacks us! This rhino is bigger and seems stronger too. It is healthier and it's horn is intact. There are some birds sitting on its back. The rhino is making a gesture like its going to attack our elephant but it restrained itself from doing so. But we are now moving away from it.
The winner rhino
We have now come inside another patch of jungle. Our elephant is moving silently and so do we. There is a big Sambar deer in front of us! We have appeared suddenly in front of it. It is standing still. We are having an eye contact with it. It paused for some moment and then ran away somewhere.
We are now returning towards the starting point of our elephant ride. We are very happy for the animal sightings.
We have now come down from the elephant back. I am now standing in front of the elephant with Soumya. We both are touching the elephant's head. This is a female elephant. Her name is Madhumala. She is very gentle. We are now giving tips to the mahaut before parting. Madhumala is taking the note from Soumya's hand by her trunk and giving it to the mahaut.
Madhumala seems very gentle and kind to us
We are now returning to the Lodge at Madarihat by the same gypsy. We are very happy for this eventful and exciting morning.
Next part: Khairbari Tiger Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
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Next part: Khairbari Tiger Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
Previous part: Jaldapara Part-2
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