Kabini Wildlife Sightings

The Itching, Mighty Tusker!

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:30:34 +0000

On one of my evening Boat Safaris from Orange County, Kabini, I was delighted to have guests who were equally or more enthusiastic about the trip as I was. The twilight sun ‘baked’ the banks of the Kabini, while cool winds blew to keep the banks cool.
We sighted a huge elephant from afar upon entering the national park. When I had a closer look through my binoculars, I exclaimed, “Wow!!”, as it turned out to be a large tusker, among the most striking of its kind at Kabini.

A Tusker on the Kabini Banks

As we approached closer to it, the big bull delighted us with some elephant ‘acrobatics’; he drilled in the mud on the river banks, flinging it in many different directions! The guests were excited to sight the giant so close to Kabini’s waters and gaze at it swing its long trunk.

Craning through my binoculars, I discovered that mud (a wet patch) was more prominent on the right of the pachyderm on its hind region, very close to its thighs. On further examination, I spotted a little wound close to the tusker’s thighs.

This large bull was really concerned about this ‘patch’ on his skin; the elephant was itching as the wound irritated it.

Hence the tusker used his indispensable tool – his trunk, to nurse the wounded spot by applying mud on it, flinging the mire to his right in the process. He then used his tail to massage the mud in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction on the wound and around it. This would also help to keep flies at bay.

When I explained to the guests accompanying me on the safari what was actually happening in the elephant’s mud ‘scub bath’, they were left spellbound.

The Healing Mud!

The Kabini Wildlife Fest!

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:34:29 +0000

The view of the Nagarhole and Bandipur national parks can take your breath away; the forest is a spectacle during the ides of winter. As the vegetation gradually changes hue from brown to green, the elephants begin congregating on the banks of the Kabini.

It’s fun to be on a Boat Safari each evening; the sheer numbers of bird, mammal and reptile species sighted during the safari is simply mind-boggling; they’re countless!

Come winter, and plenty of ‘visitors’ from across the globe become guests at Kabini! It’s a pleasure welcoming these guests, who have travelled thousands of miles to reach their destination.

Besides colourful winged migrants, soaking up the sun on Kabini’s banks is the Marsh Crocodile or Fresh Water Crocodile. These crocs bask open-mouthed on sunny days, off and on – a tactic to control their body temperature.

By the Kabini Waters: a Marsh Croc

These crocs are very sensitive to sound, and hence you need to be cautious during their sighting. There are skilled boatmen who can help sight these reptiles sans any disturbance to them.

The elephants are on an eternal quest for fresh grass, and make their way to the ‘submerged island’ (forest areas inundated after the dam came into existence). At Kabini, you can spot these gentle giants feeding on grass, half their bodies submerged in water.

As the crocs are harmless as far as larger animals go, the elephants cross over to the submerged island nonchalantly.

The Carefree Pachyderm!

The Invisible Feline

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:59:29 +0000

The Nagarhole National Park is renowned for many reasons, starting from the Khedda operations to the Tiger and Elephant sightings. The list goes on and on.

A Leopard

The park also figures among the highly protected national parks with high prey density.The Spotted Deer is the principal prey where the predators of this national park are concerned.

The leopard, being a major predator of this national park, is known for its capability to adapt to its rapidly changing environment. At Kabini, one can spot the Leopard perching on a branch to bask in the sun. This is also to keep away from competition. This big cat relishes the Common Langur, the reason for its presence on trees. These Leopards are so adept at the art of camouflage that they’re difficult to spot.

Leopard at Kabini

During one of the evening vehicle safaris, the driver Mr. Lokesh sighted a Leopard on a tree when we stopped to gaze at an elephant herd. It took a while for our untrained eyes to spot the animal. The sighting lasted for over half an hour until we hesitantly left, respecting the park’s timings. This was an amazing sighting of this large feline in its natural habitat.

Ghost on the Waters!

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:06:28 +0000

I go on a safari practically every day. And surprisingly, the sighting is never the same at the same spot!

The river is full of surprises! When we were about to emerge from the park at the end of a Boat Safari on one occasion, I asked the boatman whether we had time left to stop by at a spot where the river entered the forest with bamboo surrounding her on three sides.

We were treating our eyes to Birds and Chital, when the boatman suddenly shouted out, “Python!” Practically everyone present there peered out of the boat in the direction the boatman pointed to.

A closer look at the snake revealed an Indian Rock Python, around 15 feet in length! Lying coiled with most of its body in the water and its head outside, the Python appeared as if it were dead.

Indian Rock Python

I still can’t figure out how the boatman managed to make this sighting. The Python, its head set against the riverbank, was an ambusher that lurked in the water (and out of it!) for unsuspecting prey.

I rarely sight Pythons during a safari; this is a spectacle presenting itself to me possibly once each year!

Kabini's Reptile 'Ghost'!

Have you any memories of having sighted this beast of enormous proportions at Kabini?

The Stork with a Wooly Neck!

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:51:11 +0000

The Woolly-necked Stork is a large avian, standing 85 cm tall. The species appears black, except for its woolly white neck and white lower belly. Also ‘adorned’ in a glossy dark green and purple hue, juveniles of the species are duller versions of adults of the same ilk.

This stork prefers natural wetlands such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and freshwater, and peat swamp forests, while it also leverages artificial habitats - paddy fields, flooded pastures, cultivated fields, golf courses, and roads in sugar cane fields and plantations (particularly when these are flooded).

Woolly-necked Stork!

The Woolly-necked Stork generally keeps away from forests, but is on occasion sighted in light woodlands or forest clearings.

The bird is primarily a carnivore, feeding on fish, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, large insects, crabs, molluscs and marine invertebrates.

Previously called the White-necked Stork, the Woolly-necked Stork is a predominantly sedentary species.

Sauntering on the Kabini Banks?:)

In India, this stork generally breeds during the rains (between July and September in the southern regions of the country and from December to March in the north).

This season, you can spot them in large flocks dotting the Kabini. banks. Recall an encounter with the bird at Kabini?

The Winter Call!

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:13:24 +0000

Early in the morning, while guiding the jeep safari, I took the guests to the river bank to a spot called the sunset point. When we reached the place, the river was blanketed by a thick fog. However, a herd of Gaurs managed to capture our attention, with a big bull leading, and four cows.

The bull gaur was right before our jeep, and walked as if safeguarding his partners who were busier feeding on the wet grass. As he passed by, he stopped and realized his ‘harem’ had not joined him.

The Big Bull!

Hence he turned, giving a ‘melodious’ rutting call, waking up the forest that misty morn. Much to our amazement, this call was answered when the cows began moving in his direction.

The winter is the peak season of rut for gaurs.

As the cows got closer to the gaur, he lifted his head, sniffing the air for cues of a cow, ready to mate.

Waiting for its Mate?

Together, the herd walked towards the bushes, giving a finishing touch to our sighting.

‘Watchtowers’ of the Forest!

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:09:35 +0000

It was around 4.30 in the evening during a Boat Safari on the banks of the Kabini. The seating in the boat made you feel that you were a sailor, as you could scan all 360 degrees positioned as you were.

We sighted a couple of young tuskers uprooting grass, and producing a layer of dust as a result that began to fade in the backdrop of the sunlight.

As we were enjoying the wildlife, a child screamed, “Hey Monkeys!” We spotted an entire troop of Langurs on the river banks, some there to quench their thirst, others to have a meal. There were also those who stared at us curiously, reminding us of our kinship with the species in the animal kingdom.

The Langur Troop!

However, the highlight of the evening was a Langur. Perhaps the leader of the pack, he was guarding his troop, perched comfortably on an uneven stump, surveying all directions possible for the presence of a predator.

He observed the bushes, once in a while throwing a glance at the Kabini waters, being on the lookout for his enemies – a leopard, tiger or crocodile.

The Primate Watchman!

I referred to the Langur troop as ‘the watchers’ as they spot the maximum predators, and ‘ring the warning bell’.

The Mighty Hunter ‘Show’

admin — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:47:42 +0000

“Our National Park is full of surprises.” The Naturalists at Kabini would certainly agree to this statement.

With the winter having commenced, it’s a great feeling to be on boat safaris. It was on one such safari in the morning that I had two guests enjoying each moment. We also made this incredible sighting – a beautiful tusker we called the Nagarhole hunk.

At that instant, I also spotted a Common Sandpiper dancing on the Kabini banks. Sunlight ‘struggled’ its way through dense mist.

I took a second glance at the Sandpiper, and saw something glimmering fairly close to it. The ‘shiny’ object was an enormous Indian Rock Python! The mighty hunter was stalking the Common Sandpiper. What more can one ask for?

Indian Rock Python at Kabini

The Sandpiper, unaware of the Python’s presence, slowly moved in its direction. In the nick of time, however, the bird was ‘rescued’, startlingly by the alarm calls of an Intermediate Egret that sensed danger ‘lurking’.

The entire ‘episode’ lasted over an hour and came as a surprise to us.

It's Showtime, Folks!:)

We were eventually forced to leave the spot, and did so half-heartedly. However, we were glad about having sighted Kabini’s great and mighty hunter.

Ambassadors of the Wetlands

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:09:43 +0000

Meet the Wetland Ambassadors – the Smooth-coated Otters. They are the chief predators of the waters and indicators of the health of a wetland ecosystem.

A Smooth-coated Otter

Serving as effective symbols of environment quality, otters are endorsed as Wetland Ambassadors to promote the conservation of freshwater biomes (ecological community types).

Smooth-coated Otters are the largest otter species in Southeast Asia. The species is named after its short, smooth ‘coat’ which shines, appearing like velvet. Like other otters, they have short, ‘tightly packed’ fur and longer guard hair that is water repellent.

Like other otters, Smooth-coated Otters have webbed toes and strong paws with sharp claws.

Each otter also has a pair of scent glands at the base of its tail which mark land or objects, such as rocks or vegetation, near feeding areas.

Unlike seals though, which are ‘insulated’ by thick layers of fat, otters are very lean, their fur keeping them warm, and providing a streamlined appearance. Smooth-coated Otters are distinguished from other otter species by their rounder heads with prominent noses, and more flattened tails.

'Dynamically' Designed?

Frequently hunting in packs, they drive schools of fish together for easy capture. A pack has a feeding territory ranging between 7-12 square kilometers. Kabini is one place where you get to sight these otters.

Emperor of the Kabini Skies!

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:38:07 +0000

Birds of prey, including raptors are an eternal source of fascination at Kabini. The term raptor implies ‘seizing and carrying away’. Among the striking raptors sighted at Kabini is the Crested Serpent Eagle – a visual treat!

A Crested Serpent Eagle

This magnificent bird prefers to perch on tall trees or branches and is on the lookout for snakes or lizards. It’s marvelous to watch this bird in action when it’s hunting – a rare sight. The Crested Serpent Eagle is a large-beaked bird with sharp talons. It thus has all the ‘ammunition’ needed to overpower a snake, turning the latter into a meal.

Another bird similar to the Crested Serpent Eagle is the Changeable Hawk Eagle. This bird has a more conspicuous crest, especially when alarmed and thus alerted! Hunting by ambushing prey, it perches on high canopies overlooking a clearing, and mainly ‘captures’ prey including rodents, birds and mammals from the ground.

A Changeable Hawk Eagle

Every once in a while, I’m blessed with a Crested Hawk Eagle sighting, with this bird feeding on a small or intermediate egret. It eats its meal by first taking off all the Egret’s feathers and then tearing the meat with its powerful beak!

A jungle drive is thought to be incomplete without a sighting of these Birds of Prey.