In this series, I will share my elephant encounters. These are moments from different forests and years. Each one stayed with me in a very different way. Some were close, some were tense, and some were simply about realizing how little we see in the wild even when we think we are looking carefully. The first one was from BR Hills while the second one was from Honey Valley, Coorg. Here is the 3rd story!

Mathikettan Shola, Kerala (2022)

We did a trek in Mathikettan Shola National Park with the Kerala forest department.

Mathikettan was a stunning shola forest with scenic views from hill tops. The path meandered through dense patches of forest. Here too, there was the threat of elephants. We were with 2 local guides Ravi and Vadivel from a nearby village who knew the forest very well. They tracked animals with precision and were always alert. As we reached one of the highest points in the trek, Ravi got a phone signal and he made a call.

Elephants had been spotted in the forest ahead.

That was the news relayed to him. Both Ravi and Vadivel’s behaviour changed following this. I noticed that they remained on high alert for the rest of the hike. They became extremely careful with every bend. One of them remained with us, while the other always walked 50 feet ahead of us.

At some places, they would ask us to wait and one of them would go ahead alone to check before asking us to join again. They knew all the crossing points. They operated with one clear agenda which was to not come across elephants face to face. They were worried for us. For almost an hour the walk felt tense. Every sound mattered. Every turn was checked.

On inquiring, he said we had crossed their territory and they do not come this side.

But what stayed with me was what he said after.

“You think you can see them (elephants) but their grey is so well camouflaged. They could be right next to us and we would not see them in the forest.”

Later that week, we also met with Aneesh, a forest guard from Chinnar WLS gave us some tips based on his experience in the forest.

If we come across a herd of wild elephants, we need to observe the alpha female. If they see us and continue to feed, then its a good sign. But if she lets out a low grunt, its a warning sign for us to leave immediately. And if the elephant becomes absolutely still and stares at us, run for your life, as that is the behaviour often seen just before they charge!

What have you learnt from experts? Do share:)

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