Of People and Places

Trunks flew overhead like missiles. And there was drool in the air! I was caught in the cross fire as the elephants shot out their trunks hither and thither to eat the bananas and other fruits the tourists were holding up for them. The elephant I was trying to feed, opened his mouth wide, patiently waiting for me to pop the banana into his mouth when, quick as lightning, other elephants intercepted the food, rolled them up with their noses and gobbled them up. Self-service is the best service, I advised the poor fellow who had been cheated. He tapped me on the head, as if trying to see if I had some stashed away on my head and hands. I shrugged and told him -         "See, my hands are empty!" I am at Pinnawala in Sri Lanka, an orphanage for baby elephants close to the Maha Oya river . They are bathed twice a day in the river and many hotels and restaurants have sprung up close by so that visitors can eat, drink and relax with the gorgeous ...

Fantastic beasts and where to find them – In your own backyard There are fantastic beasts in our own backyards! This is what I learn at   Bannerghatta’s badger, A science research and education field station at ‘Big Barn’ farmhouse in Kesserguppe village, right next to the Bannerghatta national park. The field station runs projects in partnership with the government of Karnataka, Asian Nature Conservation foundation and   A Rocha India , jointly working towards resolving human – animal conflict, particularly to   ensure conservation of Asian elephants which thrive in this region. Roshan, a young man who volunteers here after college hours guides us. I am on a visit here thanks to Pencil Jammers , a community of artists and art – lovers, that organizes sketching events on weekends in Bangalore. This time, it is all about understanding the elephant and its ecosystem. Roshan calls the elephant the ‘sumo ninja’ or ‘the bandit of the night’ because of...