Elephant vs Jeep

Ok, it wasn’t Jeep, it was probably a Toyota Qualis. But it was definitely an adrenaline rush. A few feet and a back window are the closest I ever want to get to a wild bull elephant about to charge.

The setting was Mudumalai National Park. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I thank God for the opportunity and cherish the memories but as with many things from my youth I think I took the experience for granted at the time. A family friend was taking me, my brother, my cousin and my uncle deep into the lush Tamil Nadu Jungle where tourists were not allowed. Our generous guide worked with the forest department and had set up wildlife cameras all throughout the jungle. We were tagging along as he was checking the cameras’ condition and footage. Most of the cameras were strapped to trees along various trails and were in good condition, however, an elephant pooped on one and had either sat on the other or smashed with its trunk. Oh, and one had somehow been ripped off a tree and had likely been tossed into a muddy watering hole. When we came across that location, my uncle did his best Mowgli impression and stripped down to his underwear and waded around in the waist deep water and mud feeling with his feet for the camera. He was unable to find it, but somewhere at the bottom of a watering hole in the Indian jungle are a bunch of pictures of my uncle in his underwear.

We soaked in the greenery and the scenery everywhere we walked or drove. It was like we were in a National Geographic magazine. When not in the vehicle we were cautioned to stay together though because of the possibility of there being tigers, leopards or elephants hidden amongst the dense trees and undergrowth. We saw deer, monkeys, elephants, Gaur (Indian Bison, a mountain of a buffalo, look up a picture!) but the closest we came to a tiger was some tracks. Most of the animals scurried away as we approached, including the small herd of Gaur that went thundering through the brush when we drove near. We even came across a group of illegal lumberjacks who disappeared into the jungle as fast as some of the animals had.

I think here in the west when we think of the dangers of the jungle we picture the big cats. At least I do, but the most dangerous animals are actually the elephants. So much so that the forest department campsite that we visited had a massive trench dug around it so elephants would not wander in while the men slept. The outpost didn’t even have doors or windows, just a padlock on the food pantry to keep out the bears and monkeys.

At one point, we were rumbling along an overgrown track that ran through a forest of tall slender trees, and standing right in the middle of the track was a large bull elephant. It had short tusks and was as big as our Qualis. We paused and admired it. Unfortunately though, it was in absolutely no hurry to get off the track. Our driver did some honking and yelling but the elephant just stared. Our driver then backed his way into a nearby clearing and used it to turn the vehicle around. But we didn’t head the other direction, we began to reverse our way up the track towards the waiting elephant. My brother, cousin and I suddenly became keenly aware of sitting in the back section of the Qualis. In the back where we were, there were two benches that sat facing each with no seat belts. We stared out the back window as the elephant slowly grew larger and larger with each bump of the jungle track. Once we were within a few yards of it, it took a defensive step towards us, our driver whipped the vehicle into gear and sped away. The second time we did this the elephant took a couple more steps nearer and we zoomed away. We did this a few times but the animal refused to budge. Eventually, from a distance our driver got out and started yelling at the beast and threw a couple of rocks. The elephant only moved when it was hit square in the head with a dirt clod. With an explosion of dust and a hollow “THUNK,” the creature waddled into the trees and allowed us to pass.

I know the story doesn’t end very dramatically, but believe me, my heart was pounding as we backed closer to that wild elephant. I suppose we were putting a lot of trust in our driver’s ability to shift gears. But hey! We made it home safe and even in time to watch the second half of the US vs Ghana match of the World Cup (Ghana won, womp womp).

So some practical advice for you readers, should you ever find yourself in the jungle with an elephant blocking your path, make sure all the children are out of trunk’s reach, grab a big clod of dirt, wave your arms and yell like a crazy maniac and show that animal who’s boss!

Safe travels friends!

Seth

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