Ode to Tipu

Let me tell you the story of Tipu in today’s blog post. Ever since I heard about him and did extensive research, he has become my role model for embodying free spirit and living my life as per my own terms. Tipu was born prior to independence and grew up amidst extensive grasslands and forests. As he grew up, large tracts of his habitat gradually got taken over by crop fields and human settlements. However, contrary to common wisdom, Tipu did not consider humans as his enemy. He simply readjusted and added the sugarcane and paddy grown by farmers within his home range to his menu. And he never killed a human being during his long life.

Yes, you may have guessed it by now. Tipu, the gentle pachyderm roamed the jungles of Rajaji National Park and had attained iconic status by displaying a unique brand of personality. At his prime, he governed a range close to eight hundred square km. Born free under the colonial rule, he breathed his last in Independent India, still free! So, what was so special about Tipu?

He was fearless. He was a chronic crop raider and was electrocuted by humans from which he recovered miraculously. He was radio collared which he dutifully discarded after a few years. However, the collar while it was on tracked that he was not apprehensive of crossing the road and railway track in the Chilla - Motichur corridor which served as the bridge between the two halves of Rajaji National Park. The exponential rise of vehicles and traffic in the corridor made most of his peers apprehensive but Tipu remained unfazed. He stuck to his usual routine and ignored the disturbances while moving from one part of the forest to the other. It was primarily due to him that the Chilla - Motichur corridor was saved leveraging data from his movements gathered via his radio collar. He was the catalyst who reiterated the exceptional ability of bull elephants to move across disturbed areas and maintain the link between fragmented areas.

I find Tipu’s story deeply inspiring. We live in a world where herd mentality often governs success. However, for those who prefer to trade their own paths, Tipu becomes the north star. He lived by example and epitomized that you do not need to bend to the changes that threaten your identity. You just need to adapt to the circumstances and retain your free spirit. Tipu does not have an epitaph that can be called his own, but I think he would have been happy if we had created one with the following words.

“They say that somewhere in Africa, the elephants have a secret grave where they go to lie down, unburden their wrinkled grey bodies, and soar away, light spirits at the end.” – Robert McCammon, Boy’s Life

One of the reasons why I think we are facing the tsunami of depression and loneliness is that we have stopped admiring mother nature and her beautiful lessons. We search for happiness via self-help books. We are taught how to express our gratitude via paid webinars and online courses and yet we neglect to know more about the beautiful stories that we are surrounded with.

A few years ago, a group of South African elephants walked through the bushes to pay homage to the man who had saved their lives. Here is an excerpt from a must-read article.

For 12 hours, two herds of South African elephants slowly made their way through the Zululand bush until they reached the house of late author Lawrence Anthony, the conservationist who saved their lives.

The formerly violent, rogue elephants, destined to be shot a few years ago as pests, were rescued and rehabilitated by Anthony, who had grown up in the bush and was known as the “Elephant Whisperer.”

For two days the herds loitered at Anthony’s rural compound at the vast Thula Thula game reserve in South African KwaZulu – to say goodbye to the man they loved. But how did they know he had died on March 7?

Hope you enjoyed reading this week’s post. I will end with a request. The next time you are looking for inspiration to learn about life and embracing gratitude, loyalty, and freedom, ditch the obvious and listen to the whispers of the Elephants instead.

Recommended Reading

Tipu, Sultan of the Siwaliks

Wild elephants gather inexplicably, mourn death of "Elephant Whisperer"

The Elephant Whisperer: Learning About Life, Loyalty and Freedom From a Remarkable Herd of Elephants?