Kaziranga and Its One-horned Rhinos: Photo Story

I love Kaziranga; because here they are not caged or fenced as an exhibition item for the homo sapiens. The rhinoceros, elephants, wild buffalos, deer, the occasional tigers, and many other smaller animals roam free in this 430 square-

kilometre expanse across the flood plains of Brahmaputra. Kaziranga lies between the Brahmaputra and the Karbi Hills. Much of the park is marshland interspersed with large pools fringed with reeds, patches of elephant grass, scattered trees, and thickets; inhabited popularly by the great Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.

I took an early morning walk around the park with my lens, and the woods there is bustling with birds, both resident and migratory. Sighting rare large birds, like, wooly-necked stork, grey-headed fish eagle, the lesser and great adjutant, which are declared vulnerable and threatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature, is very satisfying.

Kaziranga, one-horned rhinos, wildlife, birds

Kaziranga and its one-horned rhinos

We took a safari in a private Gypsy into the central range of the park. We began seeing elephants, buffalos, deer, otter, and more; our eyes searched for the one we came travelling 3,000 km from the south of the country – the great one-horned rhinos. We could see large animals in flocks gracing far in the valleys; they all looked grey and one can’t figure out whether they are elephants, buffalos, or rhinos. We were losing hope, and suddenly, there was a loud rustling of tall grass around us; we knew something large is approaching. The guide knew what was happening, and told us to look out. And there came two solid rhinos charging towards our vehicle. They came to a screeching halt as it came face to face with our vehicle. They looked magnificent and stood majestic. Now I know why they are called the pride, not only of Kaziranga, but also of our country.

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