Thrilling Encounter with Tusker

This story is 10 years ago. We were on a safari trail in Jim Corbett Forest. We were staying in core area in the Jungle and safely completed our stay of 5 days.

The stay was memorable and we got beautiful shots of tigers and elephants. The landscape of Jim Corbett is beautiful and we clicked many photos of the landscape. This forest is famous for Tigers and Tuskers or large elephants. we could also click the colourful birds during our safaris. Overall it was great trip to the wild forest of Uttarakhand.

We were on our return trip to exit gate. This was our last day of the tour. On the way to exit gate we were all looking for few last shots of the birds and mammals.

Suddenly the guide told us to be quiet and watch for the elephant herd grazing on the grassland. One of them was Tusker. The leader and male elephant with large teeth is called Tusker. The size of the animal was mammoth. Could be almost 10 feet height.

The Tusker looked at us and started slowly approaching our safari jeep. We were excited to take closer pictures of the Tusker. I was sitting at the rear most seat facing the elephant, so I could get clear shot. And the Tusker was approaching head on towards me.

I was happily clicking the closer shots of that huge animal. And suddenly I realised that his speed of walking has increased and he literally started running towards our jeep. Since I was seated on the rear most seat and facing the Tusker, I was at high risk and the Safari jeep was stationary. But I was not scared because I thought such a heavy animal, how can he reach the vehicle.

I remembered the advice of the senior photographer that please keep away from two animals namely, Bears and Elephants. Saving yourself from Elephants is almost impossible, they can uproot trees, throw away big vehicles. The power is huge.

By the time I realised all this, the Tusker was very close to me, almost on 6-8 feet distance. I shouted to our jeep driver to drive away the jeep. By this time there were many Safari jeeps in front of our vehicle and the tourists were clicking the photographs. Now I was scared of that Tusker, looking at him and praying for rescue. In the meantime somehow our driver could drive away our jeep. I took a sigh of relief. Then we went out to exit gate.

And then our guide tells us that this Tusker is dangerous. He has killed two people at this place. I was angry on him that he should have told this before. He said I did not get chance because everything happened so fast. I thanked god for saving me.

Later I found out that Tusker can run with a max speed of 60 km/hr. And they are extremely careful about their family. Slightest danger if they sense they will attack.

Happy weekend and keep smiling.