THE
BIG FIVE OF DUDHWA TigerRhinocerosBarasinghaCrocodileBengal
Florican
A
Deputy Prime Minister from Finland, on a visit to Dudhwa, caught a glimpse of
the Tiger. He choked with emotion. He became philosophical and said:
' This experience is the fulfillment of his Life.I have overcome the fear of Death'.
' This experience is the fulfillment of his Life.I have overcome the fear of Death'.
The
Royal Bengal Tiger is undoubtedly the smartest and handsomest of all the
creatures. No wonder they call him the King. He is India’s most valuable
possession. And like his Homeland, India, he too possesses that Mystical Aura;
an aura that enchants the Body; captivates the Mind and transcends the Soul.
What is man, a puny and tiny biped, compared to the Awesome Tiger! Just take
away the gun and gunpowder and the Tiger will re-establish his Reign.
Dudhwa is very prominent and well protected Tiger habitat. Some 100 tigers dwell here. These big cats have adapted themselves to all the three habitats of the Park.
Dudhwa is very prominent and well protected Tiger habitat. Some 100 tigers dwell here. These big cats have adapted themselves to all the three habitats of the Park.
'I vividly recall my first
experience of sighting a rhino in the wild in the grasslands of Dudhwa. The
elephant ride was bumpy. I clutched the howdah. It was scary. I fidgeted for a
good view. I strained my back. I hurt my neck. I adjusted my camera. I fumbled.
But all the discomfiture was short lived. And the only image that shall lie imprinted
on my mind for eternity is that of the Rhino Himrani being trailed obediently
by her calf. It was an unforgettable moment.'
The Great Indian One-Horned
Rhinoceros once lived in the Grasslands of the Terai. The last rhino was
slaughtered in 1878. With the success of project Rhino, a veritable Jurassic
Park has been raised at Dudhwa where a long extinct species has been revived.
"It was a pleasure driving on
the forest dirt track canopied by the tall Sal tress.
We soon reached the awesome Jhadi Tal. A number of migratory birds graced the waters of this huge water-body. On the far end, we spotted a large herd of Barasingha (Swamp deer); a harem dominated by a solitary handsome stud in the company of some 24 females (Wow!). They were squatting on a circular island like mound.
Two pythons had made their nest just about 500 yards away from our vantage point.
We made our way to the second watch tower. Here we saw an even bigger herd of Swamp deer. I counted 47 of them. Most of the members of the herd were males; their mighty antlers glistening brightly.
The herd was waiting for dusk so as to proceed concealed from the Tiger into the jungle to munch soft grass. This was the largest herd of a deer species, I had ever seen. In fact, Dudhwa is the last refuge of Northern Swamp Deer. "
'One sunny afternoon, near the
Nakauah Stream at Dudhwa, I was accompanying a group of budding naturalists. We
were trying hard to spot Crocodiles and Gavials.
We sighted three huge crocs. One of them, still as log, seemed to be sunbathing. The other two were partially submerged in the waters. We moved very carefully nearer to the stream to take a better look. And Lo and behold! With a swift movement, a crocodile was out of the waters and came hissing right at us. We were caught off guard and scurried for safety.
We sighted three huge crocs. One of them, still as log, seemed to be sunbathing. The other two were partially submerged in the waters. We moved very carefully nearer to the stream to take a better look. And Lo and behold! With a swift movement, a crocodile was out of the waters and came hissing right at us. We were caught off guard and scurried for safety.
Then, having got our breath back, we
decided to watch the crocs from a safe distance. We saw that the Crocodile had
stopped at one place but was still hissing angrily. Her long pointed teeth,
inside the wide open jaws, were quite frightening. I soon noticed fresh mud on
that place and realized that ‘she’ was a
concerned mother, trying to ward off strangers from her nest. She must have
laid eggs at that spot. (Both Crocodiles and Gavials lay eggs in the mud on the
banks of water bodies. They cover the eggs with mud and keep a tight watch,
lest predators cause harm. When the eggs hatch, the young are led to the
waters).'
Dr.R
L Singh(The founder director of Dudhwa) was trying hard to convince the
Scientists about the feasibility of Rhino project project at Dudhwa. Even
destiny worked in favor of Dudhwa. One fine day, a strange bird suddenly
appeared before the experts. This was the Highly Endangered Bengal Florican.
This bird had not been sighted for the past two decades. It was a wonderful
omen. This bird shares its habitat with the Indian Rhinoceros. And its presence
was a positive indicator of the ecological health of Dudhwa. This event helped
clinch the Rhino Rehabilitation Project at Dudhwa.
Today if your patience dont give way you can spot a Bengal Florican in the grasslands of Dudhwa especially in February and March
Today if your patience dont give way you can spot a Bengal Florican in the grasslands of Dudhwa especially in February and March
.jpg)
