Nepal-Bardia 12-25 April 2012
In the Sal forests of Western Nepal there is a wild life reserve known as the Bardia National Park. Here, in 1992, John Blashford-Snell (JBS) and a team from the Scientific Exploration Society discovered the largest elephant ever seen in the Indian sub-continent. Standing 11 ’3″ at the shoulder, the giant was thought by local people to be a mammoth but he turned out to be an unusual Asian elephant with a pronounced domed head. Numerous expeditions to study this creature and his herd were made up to 2001. A book entitled “Mammoth Hunt” was published and a TV film won large audiences.
The discovery of Raja Gaj or King Elephant as he became known, led the Nepalese Wildlife Department to protect the area and this also preserved the endangered Indian rhino, the Bengal tiger, other animals and birds living in this sanctuary.
Five years ago Raja Gaj, disappeared, but in 2010, hearing he had returned, a new team sought him only to discover he had possibly been swept away in a flood. Happily the expedition found wild elephants including two large tuskers thought to be the descendents of the great Raja Gai.
Now, the Colonel and his team plan to return to collect the data needed to ensure the future of this herd of spectacular animals.
The team
- Expedition Leader – Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE DSc(Hon) DEng(hc) FRSGS
- Expedition Leader – Prof Adrian Lister, Natural History Museum, Palaeontology Research Division
- Expedition videographer and research photographer – Sarah Lawton (Yup! That’s ME!!)
- +17 other scientists
The expedition
The aim of this expedition is to study the wild elephants and catalogue the tiger, rhino and wildlife in the Bardia reserve. The results will be passed to the Nepalese Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
John Blashford-Snell will lead the expedition. Up to 18 persons will take part.
The team will assemble in Kathmandu on 11h April to acclimatize before flying to Nepalgung, two hours’ drive from the tented camp in Bardia. Trained domestic elephants and their handlers will then be used to carry the team into the riverine grasslands and the sal forests seeking the giant wild elephants. These will be measured with a special optical instrument, their condition noted and photographed for the record.
It is also planned to spend two nights in the picturesque Babai valley, where an herd of elephants was tracked in 2010, and to visit villages outside the reserve and provide some help for local schools. In the camp there will be instruction on the bathing and care of the domestic elephants.
The Charity
The Scientific Exploration Society is a UK-based charity founded in 1969. As a non-profit making organisation we initiate a worldwide programme of scientific expeditions focusing on scientific, conservation, education and community aid projects.
How I got involved
On my return from San Diego this April, I decided that the time was right to start pursuing a lifelong dream. Having followed the Scientific Exploration Society for the past three years, I dropped a brief email of intent to Colonel Blashford-Snell. Much to my surprise, he called me at home within ten minutes of receiving my email and invited me to an interview at the famous Travellers’ Club, Pall Mall, London (one of the last few Gentlemans’ clubs still around). Following a strange yet rigorous interview was offered the position of videographer and research photographer.
Amie Inman
December 29, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Congratulations on that fantastic invitation Sarah! As the mother of 2 sons in a peripatetic family (one of whom has been IN LOVE with elephants since he was 1…) I’m excited for you. You might enjoy these few elephant posts on our site: http://raxacollective.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/baby-elephant-rescue-in-kenya-2/, http://raxacollective.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/a-lesson-on-conservation-tourism-the-case-of-nairobi%E2%80%99s-animal-orphanages/, http://raxacollective.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/its-a-tough-job/
Sarah M. Lawton
December 29, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Thanks Amie
All great elelphant posts! Thansk for the links.
Deano
January 5, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Congratulations! What a fantastic opportunity and experience this will be!
yvonnemeyer
January 30, 2012 at 12:23 am
How amazing! Congratulations. I look forward to your tales.
Sarah M. Lawton
January 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Thanks Yvonne.
Keep the comments coming.
I still get a little high on life every time a new person appreciates my blogs.
Ben Weber
February 3, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Great blog!!! Really looking forward to reading all about your tales over there and hope everything goes well with it all!!!
Sarah M. Lawton
February 3, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Many thanks Ben.
Glad you stopped by and am looking forward to future feedback.
chebandbecky
February 5, 2012 at 9:22 pm
That’s so great!
artjen1971
February 11, 2012 at 12:21 pm
That’s so exciting!!! Elephants are such fascinating creatures AND societies–it must be thrilling to be able to study them up close. I look forward to reading about your travels!
Sarah M. Lawton
February 11, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Thanks Jen
Welcome to my blog.
I look forward to your continued feedback.
Sarah
Jo Woolf
February 26, 2012 at 7:37 am
Wow, what an amazing opportunity! Thanks for stopping by my blog, The Hazel Tree. I will look forward to reading about your adventures. Good luck with the trip!
Sarah M. Lawton
February 26, 2012 at 11:37 am
Thanks Jo!
Anita Mac
February 26, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Very cool. Very exciting! What a dream come true chance of a lifetime! Love elephants – they are such amazing gentle giants! Was obsessed with them as a child, got to ride one in Thailand, and still marvel at them today. Have an amazing experience!
Sarah M. Lawton
February 26, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Thanks. Wil do.
Keep in touch.
James Borrell
April 8, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Good luck, I’ll be following the expedition closely.
Sarah M. Lawton
April 8, 2012 at 5:05 pm
How wonderful! Thank you
scillagrace
April 8, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Oh, how satisfying to have an expedition opportunity like this as the fruit of your lifelong dream! It inspires me to think this is possible. I’m glad you found my post and poem! It feels as if a part of me might accompany you on your elephant encounter. All the best!!
Sarah M. Lawton
April 8, 2012 at 5:26 pm
How lovely.
Do stay in touch – there will be a post everyday while I’m away and a lot of video/photos and blogs when I get back.
I will enjoy sharing ti with everyone.
Sarah
The Wanderlust Gene
April 8, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Cutting it a bit fine with your belt, then Sarah? I’m so excited for you – envious, green with it, but so excited. Congratulations – that must have been some email, some interview. I’m going to be waiting for your blogs with great impatience. Makes a few hours in a jeep watching a heard at Mineriya pale into insignificance (but I don’t mind, they were magical hours). Best of luck:)
Sarah M. Lawton
April 8, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Your time in Mineriya sounds wonderful. What did you see?
The Wanderlust Gene
April 8, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Oh, about 20 – 25 animals, small babies, teenagers, mothers, aunts, eating, lots of eating the lovely green grass, and bathing, lots of playing, and the frisson of watchfulness when a l rage male began to close in, and ultimately wander through and continue on his way. .
Sarah M. Lawton
April 8, 2012 at 6:26 pm
How fabulous! It sounds like a few hours to remember.
I suspect we will have to search for a long time to find Bardia’s elephants – they are sadly few and far between.
Here’s hoping!
The Wanderlust Gene
April 8, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Yes, it’s on the cards, isn’t it? Here’s hoping, and best wishes to you all for a successful mission all around.
Sarah M. Lawton
April 8, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Thanks
Carol D'Amici Photography
April 9, 2012 at 10:47 am
Sarah, how inspiring to see both what you’ve done and how you went about it. I will definitely be following your blog with interest. What an amazing woman you are… Keep it up, very encouraging for us all
Sarah M. Lawton
April 9, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Thank you.
I’ve been very lucky so far.
Hope you stay in touch.
Sarah
hungary for adventure
April 9, 2012 at 11:23 am
Wow! This expedition sounds so amazing, but also probably takes a lot of guts. I will follow your blog via google reader, and I look forward to reading about your experiences. Good luck! I saw elephants in Assam, India and went to Kaziranga National Park, home of the one-horned rhino, and I would LOVE to go to Nepal some day. Happy travels.
Sarah M. Lawton
April 9, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Wow! Kaziranga sounds great.
India is another of my bucket list destinations.
Stay in touch.
Sarah
charley280
April 9, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Cool! Good for you. Have a great time.
Sarah M. Lawton
April 10, 2012 at 10:00 am
Thanks Charles
Travel Spirit
April 10, 2012 at 1:36 pm
This is wonderful! Have a great trip! ~Sherry~
Sarah M. Lawton
April 10, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Thansk Sherry
mavimet
April 14, 2012 at 3:11 am
Wow – I know you’ll have an amazing time.