They're black they're brown they're up their downThey're in they're out they're all aboutThey're far they're near they're gone they're hereThey're quick and slick and insincere! For any fan of Winnie the Pooh, these Heffalumps and Woozles are fantasy creatures, much to be scared of and stay away from. Wildlife on the coffee estates in Chikmagalur has been growing in numbers especially after the lockdown of 2020, which curtailed movement of cars and tourists in these areas. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Chikmangalur region is one of the major tiger reserves in Karnataka and has recorded a healthy increase in its tiger population. As per the latest figures released by the forest department, there are as many as 40 tigers and the elephant population has risen to 160. Wildlife activist G Veeresh attributes the rise in population to a reduction in poaching and a consequent rise in the number of prey like sambar and deer. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary Deputy Conservator of Forest, Dhananjaya Kumar pointed out, we have created awareness among the villagers on the periphery of the forest. We are also educating them about the dangers of destroying the forest by fire. Anti-poaching camps are always on alert and poaching has come down considerably. All these factors have helped the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary witness a rise in animal population, he said. Since 2004, we have worked with a similar 200-acre coffee estates high up in the Inner Giris of Chickmagalur, which has seen its own share of heffalumps and woozles, says the 4th generation custodian of this lovely estate. This estate surrounded byforest on three sides and up there in the high mountains and lush greenery, live large animals whose stories are only told by brave hearts like Christo and his team that grow coffee in such difficult terrains. The wild elephants that visit these estates are a force to reckon with and the help on his estate knows just what to do when these uninvited guests come through. It is a rather frightening experience for folks like us who are uneducated in the wild ways of these animals. FUN FACT: The Indian elephants are not to be afraid of if left alone. They are highly sociable species and like humans and territorial and will fight mostly to protect their families. They are very expressive about their feelings and use their trunks to communicate their desires, happiness, anger, and all kinds of emotions. They give out high-pitched trumpets when happy, angered or threatened. Also, soft trumpets are their way of showing affection. An Indian elephant also has a unique ability to sense vibrations on earth. They also give out infrasonic sounds which cannot be heard by the humans but helps them to transmit information or alarm calls to other elephants over long distances. Shop PIPEDREAMS Roasted a bit dark to bring out the local berry and jackfruit notes in the cup. A luscious, full-bodied and exciting offering this is your gateway to how good top-notch Indian coffee can be!