RCNP was created in 1973, but the area has been protected since the 19thc. It used to be reserved for Nepali and foreign aristocrats to hunt. It's mandate now is to preserve. It covers 932 sq km with a further 499 sq km as a wildlife reserve. Seventy percent is covered in Sal forest, with large areas of grassland providing cover for rhinos and tigers.  There are over 50 different species of mammals - monkeys, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boar, hyenas, deer, elephants, and rhinos; 450 species of birds, 67 species of butterfly.  Signature species include: one horned Indian rhino (gaida), Indian elephant (hathi), Royal Bengal tiger (bagh), Marsh Muggers, Gharials, and Gangetic Dolphins (susu.

We set off about 7:30 this morning to go on the elephant safari - 4 people per elephant. My elephant was 14 years old and her name was Jympali.  We rocked and rolled along through some pretty dense forest. She snacked along the way. The safari took about two hours. We saw some small blue bulls, spotted deer, and a wild boar.  Then off to elephant bathtime in the river, where we climbed on to the back of the elephant while she filled her trunk with water and sprayed us. Great fun - not so much washing.

Back to the hotel for Dahlbat - Nepali lunch - rice, dahl, curried vegetables - delicious and spicier than what we have been eaing.  Next the Conservation Museum followed by the Tharu museum. There are 63 indigenous people in Nepal. The Tharu claim to have been in Nepal for 4,000 years. Last night we went to the Tharu cultural centre and watched some very interesting native dancing.

This afternoon we are going canoeing and then to the elephant breeding centre.