Prowling wild animals spread panic among guests at jungle lodge

A tiger and an elephant prowled near jungle lodges in recent times, spreading panic among their guests who pay anywhere between Rs 4,000 and 20,000 per night and safari.

Recently, the staff at Bannerghatta Nature Camp had a tough time chasing a tusker that had strayed into the camp.  

"The staff chased the pachyderm into the wild,
but it returned the next day. The camp officials pressed two captive elephants residing in Bannerghatta Biological Park - Gouri and Lakshmi - into service. The tusker returned to the wild when the two female elephants arrived,"  said Jawed Mumtaz, Deputy Conservator of Forests at Bannerghatta National Park.

The situation has been less favourable  at the Kabini JLR camp, where managers have been urging the Forest Department to capture the wild tiger lurking near its grounds. The department, however, does not seem to be in any great
hurry.

"People pay so much to see a tiger, which is in great demand," noted a Nagarahole Tiger Reserve official. "They shout at the drivers and forest officials when they don't spot a tiger or an elephant. But they're troubled by the roars and pugmarks near the campsite where a tiger is said to have drifted in."

Since there has not been a direct sighting, the official said the animal does not pose any immediate threat to the tourists. He said wild animals are shy and will not attack unless provoked.

The forest authorities have also learnt that the animal does not visit the place frequently.

"There's no fear concerning this animal, but the camp management wants us to capture the tiger since they are anxious about the safety of the tourists," the official added.