OSAI

We, Mohanraj and Thenmurugakani, reached Gudalur after the visit to Chembakolli village in the evening. The overcrowded buses to Ooty forced us to stay one more night at Gudalur. As the sun was setting, Mohanraj thought of having a night safari in Mudumalai. Earlier in the morning during our Theppakadu trip, a tour operator person had offered safari of 2 hours for "just Rs 800." However courtesy the return bus trip from Gudalur to Moyar by the government transport service, we had a night safari just for Rs. 44 for 2 persons. The idea was to know about the dusk time traffic of both wildlife and vehicles. Though the scheduled starting time was 6.30 p.m., the bus left Gudalur only around 7 p.m.

We observed the following during our journey. Inspite of speed breakers, our vehicle traveled fast in some stretches inside the forest.

Onward journey from Gudalur to Moyar

Thorapalli Checkpost, 7.02 P.M to Masinagudi Checkpost, 7.37 P.M.
Travel Time - 35 Minutes
Total Vehicles - 93
Vehicles Upto Theppakkad Junction - 66
Road Violations - 2
A car was parked on the roadside to see a standing tusker elephant in the nearby bushes.
One Jeep tour operator also did the same besides pointing a beam of light on an elephant with a calf.

Wildlife sighting

4 single elephants including a tusker besides an elephant with a calf.

Return trip from Moyar to Gudalur

Masinagudi Checkpost, 8.22 P.M to Thorapalli Checkpost, 8.57 P.M Travel Time - 35 Minutes
Total Vehicles - 27
Vehicles from Theppakkad Junction to Thorapalli Checkpost - 22
Road Violations - 2
One lorry standing with engine switched off with no person nearby.
One lorry driver was performing a pooja and the camphor was burning in front of the lorry.
One drunken man came and almost fell in front of our bus.

Wildlife sighting

4 elephants (including a group of 3 elephants)

No other animals except elephants were sighted during this night safari in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.