There isn’t an animal like the elusive jackal. Wise, alert, aware of its surrounding, and a quiet grace beyond the obvious.

We homed with the golden jackals (siyar in Hindi), in the Pantnagar university campus. Their haunting howls – hookah huaaa, hooka huaaa; as my brother would imitate; still echoes in my being.

They wandered around the campus late at night – keepers of the night, that they are! After a late night get together with family friends, we would see them on our walk, home. Scampering and leading the way. It seemed they were escorting us safely back home. Then they would suddenly disappear, into the shadows of the quiet night.

They were wary, and elusive at the same time.

One night a jackal came and started howling under my window. 14 year-old me, growing up on an appetite of horror stories, ran to my parents room, and slid under the sheets between them.

Now when I communicate with them, they tell me:

“We were always protecting you. We were standing by you, just as your guides and angels would.”

When I went back to Pantnagar a few years ago, I didn’t see them. It was reassuring, though to hear their howls, on a cold winter night; after four decades.

Hukka huaaaa, Hukka Huaaaa, Hukka Huaaaa

They hadn’t left the campus premises. And fortunately had not been victims of rapid urbanisation, as in most places.

Grateful to Shashank, for sharing these incredible photos (from Bharatpur bird sanctuary.)

@@@@@@@@@@@

I am participating in the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2026, and my theme is Nature’s Voice – Notes from Nature.

As a Telepathic Animal & Nature Communicator, and an avid nature lover, I receive plenty of messages and downloads from the animal and plant world, landscapes, water bodies, as well as aquatic life. I shall take you through a fascinating journey, where we shall connect and communicate with all things non-human, but as a humans. Together, we shall also appreciate nature’s offerings.

Telepathic Animal & Nature communication is an intuitive, two way exchange of information through words, emotions, feelings and images between humans and other species/nature. This transcends the barrier of a verbal dialogue and language, helping humans understand animals, nature (trees, landscapes, water bodies) and foster deeper connections. A professional Animal and Nature communicator is also known as an Animal and Nature Whisperer.