Such is the irony of nature! So different
are wild animals from human beings. They live in the wild, untamed, so much in-sync
with their habitat – so unlike humans - and yet they are also the prisoners of
emotion, like us!
Today, be it because of human
interference or natural calamities, the instances of both the living beings’
paths criss-crossing - and chances of conflicts, thereby - have increased. As
human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and animals are
increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food.
And it’s not that the instances of
conflict of interest only remains to be found just between human beings and
animals - what we also encounter are animal-animal conflicts, for food, habitat,
engaged in a battle for survival!
I remember one incident that took place during my visit to Kaziranga National Park that etched before me an instance proving how close we are, with each other, already!
A world heritage site, Kaziranga is the home to two- third of the world's great one horned rhinoceroses, tigers, elephants, wild water buffaloes, swamp deer, gaur, sambar, hog deer, wild boar and an wide array of birds- extensively covered by tall elephant grass, swamp and dense tropical forests; and interwoven by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra. The 430 square- km. spread park includes numerous small water bodies too. My encounter with one of the nature's prevailing truth happens to include one such small water body.
I remember to have begun the day with an adventure- filled gypsy safari! After the safari, we headed to the Agoratoli range of the park that apparently is the most populated by elephants. With the help of our guide I was able to spot
numerous monkeys, deer, various birds of known and unknown kinds, and water buffaloes.
Such was the resplendent beauty of the nature and it vividness that we remained
engrossed in every new – small or big – activities happening around us. We were
perched on top of the elephant’s back, safely!
Then
suddenly the guide pointed out some movements near a swamp. What I saw there
certainly made my heart skip a beat!
I
saw an injured buffalo calf near a small waterhole. The calf probably had been
attacked by a predator. Another buffalo, perhaps the mother of the calf, was
guarding it. While we were trying to figure out what had happened there, I saw
a curious elephant approaching the spot - perhaps to inspect the scene. But the
mother charged at it! A long, gripping confrontation between the two ensued. It
took about 10 minutes. The calf remained as it is. Still! But not unattended
though!
While
the calf’s mother and the elephant were busy chasing each other, a rhino
appeared on the spot and spent a moment with the motion-less calf. It then charged
at the elephant and chased it away. But then, strangely, when the mother buffalo
tried to go near the baby, the rhino chased away the mother too. Then, it went
near the baby and snuffed it for some time. And went away!
As
I kept staring towards the spot, the mother buffalo reappeared, walked near the
injured baby - only to realize that the calf has died. She sniffed the baby,
pushed it with her head. And when it remained unmoved, she slowly walked away!
It
was our, human beings - the smart but silent watchers’ - turn to make a move, then!
We too turned, and perhaps trudged to an extent, away from the spot... and
returned to the safety and solace of our guest house! All that lingered was the
affection in display for a helpless, little ‘un - from beings of different
races, sizes and types – including us, human beings.
For
once, again, human beings and animals became one! And it was our emotion that
prevailed.
By Partha Datta
(Wildlife enthusiast and Co- founder- Travel Country Roads)
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