Taran clambered into the jeep, wondering where to sit. “Where will I get the best views from, Appa?” he asked.
Their driver replied, “The best views are got not when you sit, but when you stand up. Hold on to this handle bar and let’s go see some rhinos!”
The early morning air in Kaziranga was fresh and crisp after a night of rain and held the promise of a great day ahead.
Into the park
“Would you need binoculars?,” asked the driver. “We can hire them ahead.” Appa and Amma nodded. They stopped at the jungle entrance to submit their IDs and check for plastic items, which were not allowed in the Kaziranga National Park. “ We are trying to keep this area of around 1000 sq.km. plastic free. Please cooperate,” said the lady at the ticket counter.
They hired two binoculars and went ahead once a forest guard with a gun joined them. “We have about 2,600 one-horned rhinos here,” he informed them, “and they are our star attraction. Of course, we also have other animals such as tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and so on.”
The jeep halted by a water body where 10 rhinos were busy with their morning activities. “Look Amma, that one is a baby. It’s following his mama,” said Taran, peering through his binoculars.
Watching each other
Some were chasing each other, while others were splashing in the water. Appa was busy making videos when the forest guard asked them to look behind. He had spotted a rhino behind the vehicle in the rear-view mirror. “Someone has come to look at the humans,” smiled Appa.
Man and animal watched each other for a few minutes. Suddenly, the rhino decided to move a bit closer. The driver slowly drove away. “They rarely attack but can easily topple a jeep. Best to be respectful and step away. After all, we are guests in their home.”
Taran kept looking back, as the rhino got smaller and smaller. Though he continued to look for other sightings under the guidance of the forest guard, Taran could not get over the close encounter. He saw an elephant herd, deer, water buffaloes, river otters and a variety of birds. But the tiger remained elusive. When it was time to head back, Taran bought a wooden rhino at the souvenir store.
“The rhino that came close to our jeep … do you think it was trying to tell us something, Appa?
“Well, his message I feel was a reminder that humans are not the only creatures on this Earth. The land belongs to all living creatures big and small, though we choose to forget that time and again.”
Taran was quiet on the way back, truly moved by the wonderful creatures of Kaziranga National Park.
Published – June 13, 2025 11:35 am IST
