Context:- The Oscar for Best Documentary Short was announced for ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ which revolves around a family who adopts 2 orphan baby elephants in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and rears them.
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu.
- It is at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- The Tiger Reserve comprises of the wildlife sanctuary and the national park of the same name.
- It forms a part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.
- It has a common boundary with Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North.
- The Moyar River flows downstream into the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and is the natural line of division between Mudumalai and Bandipur Sanctuary.
Theppakadu Elephant Camp
- Theppakadu Elephant Camp is located deep inside the Mudumalai National Park in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
- The Elephant camp located on the bank of the river Moyar, was established way back in 1927.
- It is the oldest elephant camp in Asia.
- The Camp elephants consist of rescued and captured conflict animals.
- They are tamed at this camp and trained to become ‘kumki’ elephants meant to help in the capture of wild elephants.
- These elephants are mainly used in Human- Wild animal conflicts, Forest Mansoon patrolling, eco-tourism, elephant conservation, Education etc.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Theppakadu Elephant Camp – 5 MCQs
1. Where is the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve located?
a) Kerala, India
b) Andhra Pradesh, India
c) Tamil Nadu, India
d) Karnataka, India
Answer: c) Tamil Nadu, India
2. Which of the following areas form the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve?
a) Only a wildlife sanctuary
b) Only a national park
c) Both a wildlife sanctuary and a national park
d) Only a biosphere reserve
Answer: c) Both a wildlife sanctuary and a national park
3. What is the significance of the Moyar River in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve?
a) It is the natural boundary between Mudumalai and Bandipur Sanctuary
b) It is the main water source for the entire Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve
c) It marks the boundary between Tamil Nadu and Kerala
d) It serves as a habitat for crocodiles and otters
Answer: a) It is the natural boundary between Mudumalai and Bandipur Sanctuary
4. What is the primary purpose of Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai National Park?
a) Providing shelter to injured tigers
b) Training and taming elephants for various purposes
c) Housing research facilities for rare bird species
d) Serving as a base for trekking expeditions
Answer: b) Training and taming elephants for various purposes
5. What is the role of “kumki” elephants trained at Theppakadu Elephant Camp?
a) Participating in wildlife photography exhibitions
b) Assisting in capturing wild elephants during conflicts
c) Entertaining tourists with elephant rides
d) Guarding archaeological sites within the park
Answer: b) Assisting in capturing wild elephants during conflicts
