My first Leopard spotting experience in Mumbai
This story starts after 4 days of my ‘Vihar Lake clean-up’. I was proud of my recent plastic clean-up drive which took place on Wednesday 2022 on the occasion of ‘Republic Day of India’ & here our next trip got decided. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY (BNHS).
Dear readers,
The blog that you’re reading is about the natural treasure of Mumbai. The wildlife that exists in the middle of the city. The purpose of writing this blog is educational, for awareness of wildlife & very important because it’s real. My experience of facing the Leopards alone and the steps I took at the moment make me feel like sharing it with my audience. My intention is not to hurt any naturalist feelings. Read, learn & enjoy.
What is B-N-H-S?
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a pan-India wildlife research organization, which has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883.
BNHS Mission: Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education, and public awareness
BNHS Vision: Premier independent scientific organization with a broad-based constituency, excelling in the conservation of threatened species and habitats.
Pre-Story:
I was fully excited for my next trip to B-N-H-S just after my ‘Vihar Lake’ plastic CLEAN UP drive which took place on Wednesday, 26 January 2022. And, on upcoming Sunday, 30 January 2022 our BNHS nature trail got decided.
The story:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, I was following my life timetable as usual. Sunday I was ready to wake up in the morning and reach the place. I didn’t know this place before. This place was new to me. The term ‘trail’ was new to me. But this experience is an addition to my adventure list.
A night before the ‘Nature Trail’ I received a call from my friend informing me of the timings of the Trail at 7:00 AM sharp and informed me to reach Kandivali (Mumbai) by 6:00 AM from where one of his friends can pick me up and together we can arrive at the meeting point i.e. film city gate no. 1, Goregaon.
I slept instantly after I was informed of the meeting point and timings to wake up at 4.30 am. I was very disappointed from myself by what happened after this. I woke up at 5.50 am and I had to be at Kandivali by 6.20 AM, which I knew wasn’t possible from Virar by train. But I realized that thinking about being late is in the past now and being there as soon as possible is what matters in the present. I instantly received a call from Raunak asking; Bro, have you reached? Where are you? Will be there by 7.00 AM, I replied. I told him you go, I’ll be there. But, inside I knew it gonna take an hour exactly, which is the accurate time from Virar. I took my mobile stand, wore my bag, tightened my shoelaces and ran to catch the train at 6.15 am. At 6.20 am, I received a call from Rushabh asking; Bhai Kaha hai? I explained to him the same situation. He shared a map location with me to follow in case I couldn’t make it on time. And that’s what happened. Hahaa!
So anyway I had my mobile stand so I continued with my vlog. Difficult situations occur, and time table gets changed. In a situation like this, we should never get panic. ‘Danger is real, fear is an illusion’ always remember that. Focus on breathing and keep moving. At 7.35 am I reached Goregaon station. But my team had already started the Trail half an hour ago. Rushabh was communicating with me continuously like, Have you reached? Where did you reached? Because he knew the reality of danger there in the forest for a beginner naturalist is real.
I was trying booking Rapido service here again but, this time it was taking time. So I instantly took the rickshaw for film city and followed the location that Rushabh had shared with me. While I was in the rickshaw he informed me that the team is at the Salim Ali point (which I heard as Sali Mali point), just ask the routes to any of the guides when you enter into BNHS.
Into The BNHS
We entered into the BNHS security gate followed by film city gate no. 1, which is the shortcut to BNHS compared to another route. Entering into BNHS premises within just 1 minute everything became silent and I could only hear, the silence of nature, the voice of Hornbill, and a sign that was clear in front of my eyes. ‘Beware of Leopards’ this is a leopard territory.
Rickshaw wala & I went inside the gate. I was searching for some people there & I saw 2 guides with 2 different groups. I asked them if there’s a point that sounds like sali mali point. Where it is? & How to reach there? One of them pointed his hand in a direction explaining you have to walk from here. I got up from the rickshaw. Paid him his service & he went. I asked the guide again pointing out this is the route. Yes, just follow the Tree marks and you’ll be there, He replied. Leopards to nahi hoga na?, I asked. I can’t tell you exactly just beware of them & don’t worry you’ll be safe. He answered.
Leopard Trail
When I started trekking upward there was another guide named Jayesh with a group of naturalist. This guy and the group were the ones I was grateful for during the whole trail. I’ll explain this to you all in the upcoming paragraph. Let us move further into the story.
As soon as I crossed Jayesh and his group. I again heard the silence of N-A-T-U-R-E. This time with stronger feelings. A staircase in front of me leading downwards was attached to an old bridge. The thing that made me think thrice to go down was a small pond downstairs next to the bridge, which normally can be a water source for the animals and birds. My readers & I know which animal I am talking about.
Anyway, thinking ‘Danger is real & Fear is an illusion’ I walked downstairs. Passing through the bridge moving forward into the forest. One moment I lost the route and immediately after realization I was back on the track. And this was the time when I saw one of them, then two of them & then three of them. YES, Leopards!
Readers do not expect a photograph here ha. I was too scared at that moment & I was not in the situation to capture a picture.
Kidding.
Do or Die Moment
After getting lost in the forest and quickly releasing because tree marks were not visible and getting back on the path. I just entered the Leopard Trail zone (Leopard area). And just walking few steps I heard footsteps. Not mine, someone else. To my left. There they were. A baby leopard ran in the opposite direction after hearing my footsteps. I couldn’t move my legs. I was scared. Totally! Coz I saw two more.
One who ran in the opposite direction. One who took a position. I am still not able to decide whether it was defensive or attacking. And the one I saw who was patrolling or maybe moving casually. The reason I am saying patrolling because they were three not together but nearby. They can be a family and the patrolling one can be a father or mother. And someone moving around their babies can make them very dangerous. These all things were going in my mind at the exact moment.
Usually within the 50 meters of your radius if there’s a Leopard you will feel a distinct scent in the air. The stench from his body or from his urine. This lets you know that they are around somewhere. Even if you are not able to spot them. They must have seen you from all around. Very rarely a case appears where you will hear that they have attacked. Mostly wild cats tries to avoid human beings. Basically they are afraid of human beings. But, this should not be a reason from our side to take them lightly. Do not forget that they are predators.
Following things I did in this situation:
- I didn’t ran
- I didn’t lose eye contact though I was scared
- I waited for the right moment to move back
- I had a branch in my hand that I could have used to look much bigger, but luckily they didn’t came near to me
- I pointed my head downwards to think about what should I do? And they were disappeared in that seconds.
- Last but not least I ran toward Jayesh because I was scared
The Family Meeting
At that point, I decided, that this is the time to move back and run. I moved and ran and jumped on the downwards slopes until I didn’t reach Jayesh. This time I didn’t lose the path. I crossed the same old bridge, climbed those upwards stairs, and from there he was also coming down.
The first thing he said looking at me. Kya Hua? Leopard Dekha? (What happened? Did you saw a Leopard?)
Yes! Yes! Three, I actioned it from my finger. I wasn’t able to say it. I was just feeling grateful that I am with him now. I was feeling safe. I took two sips of water from the bottle he gave me to drink. He made me relaxed.
The group of naturalists that were there with him got scared and excited respectively. I repeatedly took deep breaths. We rested there for few minutes. He made me calm. I was too scared. I seriously don’t know how I handled it. But I did.
He asked me where did you saw it? Just after the LT point (Leopard Trail). I answered. I just walked a few steps and they were to my left. How far they were? Jyada nahi par Durr the. Par jyada Durr nahi the.
Following points, he told us which made us calm.
- Relax guys
- Do not forget that you’re in a jungle and it’s home to the animal. So anyway Leopard dikhe ga hi.
- And till now since you encountered them and you ran and came here, they would have gone somewhere else because of this activity.
So let’s move forward. Where is your group? & Who’s your guide? Where are they? And why you were going alone? He asked. They already reached Salim Ali Point. Jy brothers are leading them. One of my friends called me that we are at Salim Ali Point. So I was going there myself.
Okay, you better be with us from now. He offered me a place to be with his group. And of course, I accepted it. The group of naturalist with Jayesh was a family. They didn’t had any hesitance with my joining for which I was grateful.
Enjoying The Nature Trail:
After realizing and making my subconscious understand that I am safe. The adventures continued. But this time with a guide. Jayesh and our group went to the same place where I saw the leopards. We didn’t spot any this time.We proceed further on the trail. He was a good guide. So basically during the Trail, he was making us aware of the natural terms. At a point, he stopped himself to show us the scorpions which could have been hidden beneath the rocks. We spotted a beautiful Red Scorpion.
Got popular in the Trail:
Walking & Walking finally we reached to the Salim Ali Point. The highest point of the BNHS nature trail. As soon as we reached I could see the Vihar Lake from here. One of the water source from where Mumbai gets its water. It was looking so tiny from the top. We were resting here. Soon other groups started appearing to the point. I was feeling happy. The other groups guide and ours had some conversations in which they also talked something about leopards. And Jayesh said he saw the leopard pointing towards me. That captured others attention towards me. Other guide asked me where? Just starting of the LT point. I said! When I reached back to the BNHS building everyone was telling me you were so lucky. We as a guide wait a long time. And you in your first trail spotted 3. ‘Vo Bhi akele’ very lucky to not get eaten (sarcastic).
While walking downwards now I saw him. Rushabh. There he was with Jy brothers. I shouted his name in the jungle. I explained him about the incident. How lucky I was to survive from the leopards alone in the jungle. From here I didn’t joined my original group. I continued with Jayesh only. After all, he made me calm after the incident. And I could not ditch him in the middle.
We started moving downwards now. Back to the BNHS building. I was recording my memories on my smartphone. This whole trail was adventurous and memorable for me.
Here are some photographs which i received from the trail.
Butterfly Garden:
There’s a Garden in BNHS where you can spot butterflies. We saw an Anthill which was unique for me within the garden.
Back to home: I recorded my whole experience, my fear, my fun, my energy, and my message on camera.
Joined saarp as a volunteer:
So in the last blog shared my experience of vihar Lake Clean-Up. And in this trail about the leopard incident. This recent activities have made me curious to explore wildlife. So I have joined the SARRP INDIA organization (non-profit). Team of wildlife rescuers. They work 24x7 to rescue wildlife. Specially in Mumbai.
Showing Gratitude:
I have my gratitude towards nature. I am very grateful for the ‘Time’. It allowed me to experience the animal’s presence. Very grateful for the animal to didn’t hurt me. I respected that animal by maintaining distance. They respected me with the same. Next time I will enter with full guidance and understanding.
Congratulations, you have finally read & completed this blog
11 weeks, yes 11 weeks it took me to FINALLY convert my thoughts and experience into words. I’ll really appreciate if you will comment your thoughts on this article.
