Once again many thanks for the supportive messages. It's been a topsy turvy week. First of all the concern for two of my team involved in some tricky research. They are safe. Then there is just the pure contentment at being here in the mountains, a sense of true belonging. And then the last few days my baihini Nilu, this wonderful strong snow leopard, faced a serious struggle.
Nilu is safe now. Two days ago a team of us trekked her out to Ghandruk and medical help. Nilu's condition had deteriorated seriously overnight. What is normally a five hour j0urney took close to ten. I was rarely more than a metre behind Nilu as we crawled down into the Kimrong valley and then the long up again to Komrong Danda. It was testing but her strength was truly inspirational. A few times she fell back into my arms before gathering herself. Nilu's pure will to keep going will stay with me forever.
Nilu has been diagnosed with typhoid. The photograph here is taken the morning after the trek, Nilu is trying to rehydrate and soak up some sun in Ghandruk. She is now back in Pokhara and I have trekked back to Chomrong. She is in good hands but will be weak for some time. I tried to call tonight but could not get through. That's ok though. She is safe.
I could not help but feel Nilu's effort that day in many ways was like the struggle of Nepal. Fierce determination in the face of adversity. I wont forget that day.
This morning before I headed back to Chomrong I had a very positive meeting with Paras Singh, the officer in charge of the area office for the Annapurna Conservation Area Office. I first met Paras earlier in the year in Manang and was impressed with his passion regarding human/wildlife conflict issues. We formed a bond very quickly and today made further plans in our collaboration for data collection here. This involves camera trapping in some of the most dramatic landscape on our planet.
Like me, Paras is aware of the possibility of snow leopard, common leopard and tiger virtually co-existing in the same region. The tiger is the key. Are they still here?
Today I felt a little closer to knowing...
No comments:
Post a Comment