We did a three hour safari at Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka. It is well-known for elephants, water buffalos, various species of birds, and a handful of leopards. I was really hoping to see a leopard, unfortunately it was not in the cards!

This post is specifically about one incident which really annoyed me. We came to a part of the park where 3 elephants were uprooting grass with their feet and then using their trunks to eat – standard elephant protocol. One of the three was a baby elephant and a handful of tourist safari jeeps were stopped pretty close to them but still a respectful distance away. The elephants were obviously okay with it because they kept doing their thing.

Then out of nowhere, one of the jeeps rages loudly around the others, passing super close to the three animals, and making a lot of disturbance in the process. Why the heck would anyone do that? Did they think that try to get a reaction or scare the elephants would make their day? Clearly, no concept of respecting nature for what it is.

My husband happened to be in the midst of doing a video, but I think he got distracted by the jeep and has the phone down and finger in front of the lens for part of it. However, the defense roar the elephant makes is audible in the background:

At the end of the video, you can see the elephants slowly turning around to leave – which any set of parents would do if they thought there was threat to their young one.

We all want to enjoy the beauty and nature of visiting other places, but we also have to remember that these animals are rightfully in their place. They were there before humans started encroaching on their space, and the least we can do is be respectful.

I wish I could have been closer to these irresponsible fools – would have given them a piece of my mind.

When was the last time you just wanted to give fellow travelers a dirty look? – Do tell!