Dolphin In Nepal
The last exploratory thing I did in Nepal was head to the town of Tikapur and the surrounding area to at least see where these dolphins hang out when the monsoons come. Johnny didn’t expect to see any and called ahead to some friends that live on the river and are part of the dolphin counting when it happens. We drove west on the east-west highway across the Karnali River to a ‘shortcut’ through a community jungle and eventually arrived at a restaurant hotel nestled at the edge of a banana plantation with a restaurant that serves everything banana, drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
We got a late start and pulled in for the night and got to it after a swim in the pool before heading out to the river and have a look around. Johnny pulled into the Dhungana Tol Dolphin Conservation Center and they welcomed us in for sweet tea and lunch. With Johnny able to speak Nepali it makes questions and communications straightforward. Through questions and answers we found out that the dolphin had been around but certainly not in the middle of the day. The water in the river was basically too low and the dolphins have to share the same space and food source with the Crocodiles and Garials so they appear to stay in broad water areas.
When we got out to the confluence of two rivers we asked some kids that work in the area and they said the dolphins had been seen recently around dusk but only a few. I asked about the dolphin count and Johnny and his friend seemed to agree that the numbers were inflated and that another count should be in the works. We went back to the banana plantation for some finger food and some shade before heading back to the resort. I flew out the next day for Katmandu and on to London because somewhere along the way I broke the screen on my computer and it needed attention. I didn’t get to see the dolphin and I didn’t get to see the tiger so looks like I have to make another pass through Nepal and Chitwan and Bardia and take another Wild Trak Adventure with Sitram and Johnny. www.wildtrakadventure.com.
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