Of the Big 3 in South Asia I've been fortunate to have great sightings of wild tiger and wild rhino. Over the years I've seen wild elephant but not as much as the other two. This sighting a few weeks in Bardia, well, it just felt special. The giant wandered across the river bed, not a care in the world. I felt humble, privileged as I always do when viewing wildlife. There was also this feeling of hope.
Elephant numbers are stable in Bardia, two sizable herds move through the area as well as solo travelers. With rhino numbers also stable as well as the well publicized increase in the tiger population there is reason to be optimistic. We'll be having a report on Bardia in our last WildTiger Journal of the year in a couple of days. Hemant has been sending me excellent updates and great images. There is a period of reflection going on with anti-poaching legend Ramesh Thapa after 30 years service in Bardia being transferred to Chitwan National Park. Ramesh leaves behind a capable and motivated team.
The Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBAPU) headed by Hemant is an integral part of that team. As 2014 draws near there is no backing off the challenges ahead. Here at WildTiger we have added Good Luck Elephants to the JaiBagh shopwww.wwildtiger.org/jaibaghshop The shop itself will have a big increase in available items in 2014. We want to extend our help to the CBAPU and ensure the future of the wonderful tiger, rhino and elephant habitat that is Bardia...
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