Mount Abu Wild Life during LOCKDOWN ( 22/04/2020 )

Wildlife Mount Abu 

A glimpse of wildlife in Mount Abu during the lockdown.
As Lockdown continues, people are spotting Sloth bears, Leopards, snakes, Jungle Grey fowl and red Spur-fowls.

Mount Abu is a great place to visit for a brief break. If you enjoy treks and jungle walks, it’s an ideal place to pursue your hobby. Don't expect to see sloth bears, leopards, or Sambhars easily, as they are very elusive. One might chance upon them if lucky enough during a night drive. 

Langurs are plentiful. We can see a variety of native birds throughout Abu.

I am posting some snaps of the recent wildlife events that I have recorded during our lockdown. 

Entwined as one

Damans Mating season 

Watch the slide show in FULL FRAME

DAMANS Love in Mount Abu

Dhamans or Indian rat snakes are very large, a common species, non-venomous, harmless to humans, and a fast-moving snake found throughout Mount Abu.

They rescued Python at St. Mary's school.
( Photograph per kind favour Ms Trina )

Sloth bear

Sloth bear

Vid Taken by grandson Keith: 

This bear has been a regular visitor to our garden for the last few days. He comes to gorge on the mulberries growing in the garden. 

Sloth bears are very dangerous. In hostile encounters with people, sloth bears often attack the head. 

Villagers get raked with the bear's enormous claws and their face becomes a pulpy mess. 

Check out my postings on Abu Bears over the years.

Indian Grey Mongoose

Indian Grey Mongoose and Red Wattled Lapwing

Squirrel on the lookout

Spurfowl with chicks

( Vid per kind favour Ms Trina) 

Wild dogs of Mount Abu

Meet wild pariahs of Mount Abu.

Mount Abu, like all other cities, towns and hamlets, has its own share of pariah dogs that live off food thrown to them by the local populace. Most of them scavenge garbage cans and dumping grounds. Of late, I have observed these dogs forming small packs and going into the forest area to hunt for prey.

Yesterday I photographed one such pack

Leader of the pack wild dog

Mt. Abu Wild Dogs

This pack of five dogs has become a force to reckon with. They specialise in catching squirrels, mongooses, goats and the local langur. I have witnessed them tearing a goat to pieces within a few minutes. Their teamwork and the effect of bringing an animal down are mind-boggling. I believe at night this pack swells to a larger pack, and they go rampaging the outskirts of the city and parts of the forest. I know leopards pick up stray parish dogs, but I’m sure it would not risk trying to pick a dog from a pack such as this.  

The Rover in me resides flash trip to Mori Bera

Mori Bera Summarized: Rediscovering the Wandering Spirit.

In the fabric of life, a small nudge from the past can ignite the dormant restlessness within. “If you don’t use it, you will lose it,” my father’s wise warning rang in my ears as I found myself in limbo following a life-changing injury. The relentless prodding of a few old friends shook me out of my stupor, driving me back into the enthralling worlds of travel and nature.

A phone call from Kunoo, a buddy who recognised the power of alluring adventure, was the impetus for my rebirth. He dangled a tempting proposition in front of me: a meeting with a mother leopard and her two cubs, a promise that ignited my wandering soul. I embarked on a journey to Mori Bera with two other close comrades, Harry and Abu’s courageous trekker Charles, resolved to break free from the shackles of routine.

The possibility of seeing my long-lost drinking companion after a lifetime brought an extra element of excitement to the adventure. Kunoo’s leopard safari turned out to be nothing short of paradise rediscovered. Zia, the stately leopardess, and her two playful pups became the objects of my camera, and I captured images that will live on in my mind forever. Zia was the child of Zara, a leopard who had been last seen in Bera three years before.

The excursion proceeded with a fantastic bird-watching trip to Jawai Dam, where nature revealed its splendour in pulsing hues. But not everything was perfect, as the sighting of the Indian Blue Bull, Nilgai, left a sorrowful note in my travels.

One shot of a deer piqued my interest, causing me to issue a challenge to the reader: uncover the unseen tale behind this routine moment in the forest. I urge you to experience my great admiration for nature’s beauties as I reveal images of Zia and her pups in upcoming postings, followed by fascinating birding pictures.

This brief excursion to Mori Bera developed into a soul-stirring expedition, a monument to the undying spirit of discovery that exists inside all of us. As my heart rushes with the excitement of the unknown, I urge you to join me on this virtual adventure and experience the beauty that lies in answering the call of the unknown.

 

 Blue Bull at the dam site

 Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

The snap above  and this one what does it indicate??