DEVENDIRAN KRISHNAPPA
Stay Strong

The high-altitude grasslands of Meesapulimala in Munnar, within the Western Ghats, are shaped by mist, silence, and subtle movement. This series was made during a herping session, with no expectation of encountering large mammals. Unexpectedly, a pack of dholes emerged from the surrounding forest to reclaim a kill made earlier. Moving with quiet coordination, the pack revealed a rare glimpse into their social structure—feeding in turns, maintaining awareness, and avoiding conflict through subtle communication. Younger members observed from the edges while others fed, highlighting cooperation over dominance. Set against the fragile grassland-shola ecosystem, the images document an unplanned encounter with one of India’s most elusive predators, where survival is defined not by individual strength, but by unity and shared purpose.

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