Caught with Wildebeests on a Volcanic crater! Elsie Gabriel

Caught with Wildebeests on a Volcanic crater!

Elsie Gabriel 

Here  right now, am standing on a Volcanic crater. I had always dreamed of visiting a volcanic site. Hush….I keep wondering when it will erupt, extinct or not, am super excited!!

Shut up Elsie, I tell myself this 50 000 hectares of vast circular geological feature is ancient even by geological standards as it is the crater of a long extinct volcano and the result of eruptions some 1,200 million years ago.

It will simply not erupt again for sure...................................................................................................... But this isn’t a simple volcanic crater, it is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its type in the world, the rare rock types and formations make it a one of its kind geological feature. A number of rare minerals occur here. This is the Pilanesberg Game Reserve am talking about, am standing on one of the world's most outstanding geological phenomena.                                                             All pics copyright@elsiegabriel.

So I have to keep pinching myself and reminding myself that I did agree to visit a volcanic site but I didn’t ever dream of a safari and game reserve inside the very same crater, tracking down Wildebeests.

The blue wildebeest also called the common wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest or bridled gnu, is a large antelope.. This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust mouth. Young blue wildebeest are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult colouration at the age of two months.  The rear coat and flanks are slightly lighter in hue than the ventral hide and under parts. Dark brown vertical stripes mark the area between the neck and the back of the ribcage.

Scattered throughout the Pilanesberg Game Reserve are various sites that originate from the Iron age and stone age they say. With unspoiled flora and fauna, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers a viable alternative to the other large game parks in the country. Buffalo, elephant, giraffe,deer,leopard, white rhino and lion also reside here.

Fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1200 million years ago, filled with huge hills of shrub forestland Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world.

The area is fringed by three concentric ridges of hills, formations arise from the surrounding plains, rising and falling smoothly. Ancient, even by geological time scales, this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion. Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape and natural habitat for these wild animals.

The vegetation is filled with wide open grasslands, steep hill slopes, rocky outcrops, wooded valleys, shrub land and thickly wooded valleys. There are over 132 species of trees and at least 68 species of grasses.

The colourful hues, varied habitats, topography and panoramas are a delight. The Park covers an area of 55 000 hectare and ranks among the larger of the parks in South Africa. The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam. 

 A major advantage of the Pilanesberg is that it is ‘Malaria Free’. Hushhhh…..

…….I can see more Wildebeests coming in herds, step back, watch them closely…..

While the species status is considered secure as a whole, there is concern for smaller herds in the southern Africa habitats which have already become marginalized.

Wonderful rare creatures living on a volcanic crater, imagine…….

 

All pictures copyright@elsiegabriel

River rafting in Corbett Country! Jim Corbett, wild life missionary of Uttarakhand! Elsie Gabriel

Jim Corbett, wild life missionary of Uttarakhand! 

River rafting in Corbett Country!

Elsie Gabriel.

The off beat tracks of the sub Himalayan region of the Uttarakhand state of India is refreshingly beautiful and rustic. Not for the faint hearted and delicate darlings. Mountainous zones filled with rough rivers is exactly what I wanted and rightly what I discovered. Breath taking natural geographical and ecological characteristics of one of the smallest states of India ,Uttarakhand. Almost a dozens years ago Uttarakhand was carved out of the Himalayan zones. It borders the Tibet Autonomous region in the north, the Mahakali zone of the far western region, Nepal on the east, and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the northwest.

Known for the Jim Corbett National park this destination is sometimes overflowing with tourist who flock to get a glimpse of the Bengal Tiger. I must be honest, I spent two whole days but came away believing that  over crowded jeeps full of nature lovers and tourists might be damaging wildlife irreversibly, even if they restrict their activities to tiptoeing discreetly through the undergrowth . There has been a lot of debate on whether tiger tourism can help save the environment or do much damage to the environment.

I was pained by the rush of tourist jeeps and cacophony at dawn. Such a scurry to make it first to the forest areas… and no wonder the creature is so elusive. It was like he was being hunted down by hundreds of binoculars and cameras. I didn’t come away disappointed but sad. It is partly true that revenue from eco-tourism provides one of the best incentives for local communities to protect endangered animals instead of hunting them. Maybe some species are more affected by recreation than others. I simply couldn’t track the Tigers down, although I did see many tracks of footprints. I wish you luck if you ever plan a jeep safari to see the beautiful Tiger. Actually, the Bengal tigers, although plentiful, are not easily spotted due to the abundance of camouflage in the reserve, very deep jungle, the Ramganga river and a good number of  preys make this reserve an ideal habitat for tigers who are opportunistic feeders and prey upon a range of animals.

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest National Park in India, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger. It was named after Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.

It is said that Corbett,at the tender age of ten found himself addicted to hunting . Now the Corbett park contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. It is said that wilderness here is at threat. In case of the tigers in any given natural habitat, the biggest culprits are deforestation and poaching, though. Tourism activity is only allowed in selected areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve so that people get an opportunity to see its splendid landscape .Over 586 species of resident and migratory birds have been categorized, including the blossom headed parrot, eagles and the jungle fowls.Through tiger tours, wildlife conservation can be enforced along with strict tourist briefing before the actual safaris. Knowledge and motivation to protect the endangered tigers  should come first. It is said that Colonel Jim Corbett was born at Nainital in 1875whose father  was the postmaster of Nainital. Jim Corbett worked in the railways at Mokama Ghat in Bihar working as fuel inspector and assistant station master. Corbett also held the rank of a lieutenant colonel and later served as an elected member of the Nainital municipal Board.The Indian Government in 1956 renamed the park – Corbett National Park in honour of Jim Corbett the powerful missionary for wildlife preservation in India. Besides Tigers, Leopards,barking deer,sambar deer, hog deer, chital, sloth bears,mongoose, otters, yellow throated martens,Monkeys and langurs also co-exist. I saw plenty of elephants and sloth bears around.Deer are in plentiful and so are red coloured wild fowls and Kingfishers almost everywhere near the water holes.

I was happy to come away for some first grade River rafting along the close by River Kosi at Corbett Country though.

The perennial river Kosi is a sight to behold, winding through polished boulders both big and small which make a magnificent bed for the river, because of which the Kosi keeps gushing all along. From Mohan through Dhikuli till Ramnagar, the Kosi forms the eastern boundary of Jim Corbett National Park. Even though the Kosi does not enter the Park boundary, wild animals from Corbett use it for drinking especially during the warm seasons. The river is notorious for its unpredictable and damaging torrents during monsoon. Like Ramganga, the Kosi too is inhabited by mahseer and attracts migratory birds. 

Rafting here is good as the water is not so wild at places. Its always frothing and foaming, inviting you to take the challenge to ride the waves and feel the thrill while falling into deep gradients.

 Sandy beaches line the river at intervals allowing you to pull up alongside. The slopes on either side are covered with pine and fir trees. I spotted deer, monkeys and water buffalo’s further down, making my river experience even more memorable.

Eventually, I got off the raft and wandered into the forest, with my guide close behind, ofcourse. Oh to be enveloped by the green cover, healing, replenishing, refreshing and refueling, re-inventing, refusing, returning, reusing, reminding, re-thinking and reducing!!

pics copyright@elsiegabriel.com