A mother and daughter duo enjoying a jeep safari at Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, home to one-horned rhinos, found themselves in the midst of a gut-wrenching experience when what was supposed to be a fun ride became a tale of narrow escape.
An undated video circulating on social media has caught the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and netizens because of how things could have taken a tragic twist in this tale of a miraculous escape.
As seen in the viral video, a rhinoceros casually strolled behind a different safari jeep when three other jeeps, full of tourists, decided to rush away.
The first two jeeps turned rather sharply, causing a young girl and her mother to fall flat on the ground. The duo can be heard crying for help.
Meanwhile, another rhinoceros can then be seen aggressively approaching the third tourist vehicle, steps away from where the girl and her mother had fallen. Looking at the rhino stomping in anger, the jeep pulled back.
According to media reports, after a near-miss with nature’s mighty giant, the women successfully climbed back into their jeep.
NDTV reported that the Kaziranga administration has launched an investigation into the incident and has also urged tourists to remain vigilant during safaris.
Record tourist inflow in Kaziranga in 2 decades
Kaziranga National Park recorded the highest tourist inflow in the last two decades with 1,64,636 people visiting its four ranges since its opening this season in October 2024, an official told news agency PTI.
The park earned a revenue of ₹43,226,225 from the entry fee, which is a testament to its growing appeal and the success of recent initiatives, the official added.
The park generally remains open from October to May, after which it takes a monsoon break.
In October 2024, 30,058 tourists visited the park, up from 17,271 in the same month the previous year. In November, there were 53,367 visitors, compared to 35,006 the year before, and in December, the number rose to 81,211, from 65,139 in 2023, the official said.
