Rupjyoti Rabha is a bank employee by profession but one glance at his wildlife photographs and you know where his heart truly lies. Growing up in the green state of Assam, and fascinated with programmes on channels like Animal Planet and NatGeo, Rupjyoti became interested in capturing wildlife on his camera. His subjects vary from the much-photographed elephants to the uncommon capped langur, and golden langurs of Assam. His photos are a glimpse into the wildlife of Assam.
Here are a few prized shots taken by the amateur photographer and fascinating tales he has about the jungles he loves, including an encounter with a wild elephant named ‘Laden.’
Which is your favourite destination to capture wildlife photos?
Kaziranga of Assam is always on the top list for photographers but any place having birds and animals can be my favorite destination.
Besides the big mammals, is there any other endangered species that you’ve clicked? Where?
Yes, there are many other species I have photographed like Capped langur, Golden langur, Assamese macaques etc.
Tell us about your encounter with the wild elephant nicknamed ‘Laden’
Recently the elephant called ‘Laden’ died in Assam. The elephant was notorious because it was believed to have killed 50 plus people in Assam’s Goalpara district, my home place. One afternoon in the year 2018, I was chasing ‘Laden’ with my Canon 1300D to see her properly from a close distance. My luck favoured me and I saw it coming out of the bushes. It came down to the rice field and stood there for almost 15 minutes. That was the moment I was waiting for. I wanted to see and photograph the infamous ”Laden”.
I pointed my camera towards her and started taking photographs. Suddenly what I saw was like a miracle for me at that time and situation. She tried to kick out an egret showing that she was not happy with the presence of that egret. Even though it seems furious at first sight, I was wonderstruck by the funny behavior of that elephant. She was infamous for killing 50 plus people, and what I saw was a funny elephant that was trying to kick out an egret.
“I understood that these creatures are actually very innocent in nature and it is us humans who have turned an innocent elephant into a killer elephant, and named it accordingly after a terrorist. Though today she is not alive, I will never forget that incident for the rest of my life.”
Any future plans in terms of working with wildlife or wildlife conservation?
Being a bank employee, it is very difficult to manage time for my hobby. But I always try to take out the time. I am working as a member of AARANYAK, Northeast India’s only NGO working tirelessly for environmental and wildlife conservation. My future plan is to continue my photography and venture into filmmaking.
All images are subject to Copyright of Rupjyoti Rabha and used here with permission
Rupjyoti is my friend, as a wildlife/nature lover I proud of him. I learned about birds from him. My profession is driving but my passion always wildlife conservation, as a wildlife (mainly Snake,birds,small mammals) rescuer I always trying to give my best in rescue and awareness to reduce human wildlife conflict. After reading Rupjyoti’s story I inspire ,,, thanks
Thank you Prasanna, you are doing great work too as is Rupjyoti.