About the Image(s)

I recently went on safari in Bandhavgarh National Park in India. I was very excited to see these animals as soon as we entered the park. I thought we were quite lucky until our guide explained that these elephants are domesticated. They are often referred to as “khedda” or “kumki” elephants. They are trained and managed by mahouts (elephant caretakers) and are used to help manage and patrol the park.

Although the elephants can forage, park personnel supplement the elephants’ diet with freshly baked breads, grains, unrefined sugar, and fruits. Our guide explained that the supplemental food is one reason why the elephants return to an enclosure at night, where a mahout stays nearby to ensure their safety. These elephants were walking back from playing in dirt and mud. The adults used their trunks to blow dirt on themselves. One of the little ones had rubbed its head in the mud.

This was an end-of-the-day safari, so the light was starting to fade. I set a high ISO to allow for faster shutter speeds. I used LightRoom to crop and make slight brightness, contrast, and color adjustments. I used Topaz Sharpen to selectively sharpen the elephants.

Sony DSC RX10M4, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 1600, 111 mm