Elephant Congregation at Kabini

Elephant (elephas maximus) is the largest of the land mammals; belong to the zoological order proboscidea (meaning animals with trunks). There are two species
of elephants in existence - The Asian Elephant and the African Elephant. Smaller of the two, the Asian Elephant weighing between 3000 – 5000 kgs, is predominantly found in India and spread across South East Asia. The Elephants once traversed across South East Asia and wandered the African expanse; today it is believed that death by poaching and natural causes together far exceeds their ability to reproduce. The Indian subcontinent is home to the largest population of Asiatic Elephants stretching the forests of the Western Ghats in the south and the foothills of the Himalayan range to the north. The Nilgiri Biosphere is spread across three states and divided into 4 Wildlife Sanctuaries (Nagarahole and Waynad to the West and Bandipur and Mudumalai to the east) and is reckoned as one of the ideal destinations to sight the behemoth.
The river Kabini is nestled on the southern fringes of the Nagarahole National Park and borders the Bandipur sanctuary along its adjoining banks. The banks of the Kabini are witness to an annual spectacle of the elephant migration during late summer from Bandipur into Nagarahole. Between the months of March, April and early May the splendour these animals add to the already scenic beauty of the Kabini backwaters is mesmerizing. The contrast offered by the dry-deciduous forests of Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuary and the lush tropical forests of the Nagarahole and Waynad sanctuary explain the transition during the summer, possibly for water and better grazing. Like a boon to these elephants, the Nilgiri biosphere has all its corridors open for elephants of the neighboring states to visit the Kabini Reservoir during the heat of summer. During the end of October the Kabini Reservoir is drained to provide water to the farmers around this area. The decrease in water creates rich grasslands which can sustain such number of elephants during the summer. Elephants start moving in to this part of the biosphere by March. As the summer progresses and the heat is on, more and more elephants descend from different parts of the biosphere to this region. Practically in every direction herds of elephants can be sighted grazing, bathing in the waters, crossing the river or nurturing young ones. The Kabini example is a rare exception of a man made reservoir which drowns more than 25-30 square kilometers of the biosphere that has benefited to wildlife.
Kabini, known the world over for its largest congregation of Asiatic elephants, is where one doesn’t have to struggle for a glimpse of the “haathi / aane” as it is known locally. Elephants gather in large numbers; often 3-4 herds can be seen at one glimpse; feasting on the lush grass on the receded beds of the Kabini dam. Oblivious to the tourist attention they draw, the elephants make way for long hours of sighting, thereby offering insights into their behaviour and how hierarchy and responsibility is shared in the herd.
Elephants are very sociable animals and calves share a very close relationship with the whole herd. Elephant herds are matriarchal families, mature males roam lonely or in small bachelor groups mingling with herds only to mate. The herd is a family and is managed by the Matriarch. Besides the mother, calves are also nursed by other members of the herd. Research reports have also recorded incidents of infants feeding from other milking females of the herd. Calves are weaned by the age of four. Male elephants stay with the herd until maturity while females continue to establish their place in the herd. Elephants mature between 11-20 years of age; mature males are driven out by the invading males that join herds to mate. Herds are very protective of their calves; human encounters with elephants can be fatal if a line is not drawn. The least indication of threat would spark a ritual of huddling together and tucking the calves between their legs, almost trampling them.
Elephants are also believed to have a strong memory; as a result this unusual congregation could possibly be an event marking the social reunion among friend’s relatives and foes from different herds spread across the Nilgiri Biosphere. Mark your dates and join us here at Cicada Kabini to witness the elephant migration and have your take on what this congregation means.
  • Is this really a reunion of families’, friends and foes of the elephant world?
  • Learn how responsibility is shared among elephants in a herd.
  • Contemplate with modern day thoughts on management on how the herd is managed by the matriarch
  • Pass on your inheritance of the Nilgiri Biosphere to your children by making it a learning curve
One can be rest assured that the elephants of Kabini have something on offer for everyone to take back.
 
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