Tamilnadu- Topslip (2014)
Description to be added later
Pollachi-Anamalai- Vettaikaranpudur- Sethumadai Road (16 miles)Coconut trees line up both sides of road for few miles
Sethumadai- Gateway to Topslip
Nilgiri Marten, a weasel like animal
Mist covered Hills- part of Western Ghats
Anamalai (Topslip) and Parambikulam Reserves are adjacent to each otherThey are part of Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary in Western Ghats Estimated number of Tigers: ~34; Elephants ~40
Pay fees; Beyond this post road takes several hairpin turns to Topslip (6 miles)- little bit adventurous
Welcome to Topslip
Visitor Center where you get tickets for trekking, elephant safari and Elephant Camp
Various options to spend time at Topslip
Inside visitor center-List of animal sightingsNot elephants, not tigers, it is King Cobra that rules the forest
There are 34 bengal tigers but they are elusive If you see one, you'll be in newspaper
Topslip accomodations; reserve it in advanceSmart way to see this place is to stay overnight either here (or better in Parambikulam!) and look for animals in the cooler morning and evenings
Topslip Elephant Safari-Platform to board
Ponnan is the MahoutIt is his family profession; they treat elephants like family membersHis father died because his elephant died
Tribal communities such as Kadar, Irular, Malasar .... work and live in the forest.There is school for their childrenBackpacks and cell phones are common
After safari, Elephant Mariappan walks 8 miles to Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp Mahout says by far the "safest transportation is by elephant"In the narrow trail, up and down, mile after mile of walk, no elephant has ever missed a single step even when the ground is wet!
Rare monkeys :I am not Grey Langur (Hanuman Monkey)
I am Nilgiri Langur
Remember all of us, the Langurs- See you later
We saw several Malabar Squirrels on trees
Rare specimen of elephant foetus
It is like a toy
Mega bat that eats fruitsRare species found in Africa, Madagaskar and here
Wild Boars- plenty around even on a hot afternoon
Where there is tree......
Herbal plants are grown and herbal medicines are available hereRosemary is remedy for Low Blood Pressure
Tamil names for the oinmentsThere is herb shop but no souvenir shop!
These vans take visitors to Elephant Camp (8 miles) right into the forest
Teak wood from this forest went to Bombay docks for ship building during British periodLog was slipped from top of the forest to down below for easy transportation and so this place got its name "Topslip"
We are on our way to Elephant Feeding Camp Area
We are going through the forest; it is generally dry during April especially when there is no rain
Saw an elephant in its natural habitat from the moving van
There are 20 elephants. They are the training elephants (Kumki).They train wild elephants to work for logging industryLocal tribes (Malasar) train the Kumki elephants
There is also water to take bath. Here is an 8 year old enjoying the coolness of water in the hot afternoon
Majestic trees and majestic elephants live in perfect harmony
with majestic cranes and herons
Enough bathing- time to eat
We saw 10 of the 20 Kumki elephantsThese are not temple elephantsThey are highly skilled to tame wild elephants especially in conflict situations with humans
Forest atmosphere is real change of scenery for urban folks
Competition is just a mile awayAnother Tiger reserve + two dams+450 year old teak tree+ bamboo rafting
Visitor Center at AnappadyBetter scenery, better accomodation and better facility management Enjoy our activities and then go to Topslip for Elephants
