Reader picture essay: Going wild

1.1213599-3657424406 — Razeq Mohammad sized the peafowl running away from the chital (spotted deer) in the wild. He believes this is one of his best pictures. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

Gulf News reader Razeq Mohammad visited the Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India, recently. This natural reserve located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts is also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Covering an area of 643.4sq km, the park is one of the last remaining and best protected habitats for many endangered species. Mohammad said: “I went there on a trip organised by a photography group. It was a great opportunity to spend time with some experienced and enthusiastic wildlife photographers and an insight into wildlife behaviour and photography strategies. I always knew that Nagarhole is a land of abundant wildlife, but I was not prepared for the experience I got.” The national park attracts thousands of tourists each year. As the national reserve is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is an International Biosphere Reserve that encompasses 5,520sq km in the Western Ghats, Nilgiri Hills of South India. The fauna in the area includes over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians, 316 species of butterflies. It is under consideration by the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

The gaur, also called Indian bison is listed as a vulnerable as their population has been declined over the past few decades. The gaur is the tallest species of wild cattle. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

The sambar is a large deer native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The name is also spelled sambur, or sambhur. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

Mohammad seized a beautiful shot of a chital feeding her fawn. After a gestation period of 210 - 225 days a chital gives birth to one or two fawns. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

Razeq Mohammad caught two elephants romancing in the wild. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

Razeq Mohammad spotted a herd of spotted deer, also known as chital or cheetal at the Nagarhole National Park. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

The dhole, also called the Asiatic wild dog or Indian wild dog, are classed as endangered due to ongoing habitat loss, depletion of its prey base and competition from other predators. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

A gray langur, also known as Hanuman langur relaxing on a tree. They are the most widespread langurs of South Asia. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

Razeq Mohammad got a warm welcome to the jungle by this elephant. To spot an elephants rolling up its trunk is considered lucky in some cultures. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

The ‘crested serpent eagle’ is a medium sized bird of prey that often feeds on snakes. They have a large head and held up by long feathers on their back. Image Credit: Razeq Mohammad

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