It's official - I've added leopard spotting to my rather odd list of talents. Not so strange you might think - given that we're living in Rajasthan, the land where big cats surely just roam the streets. We all know that tiger numbers are alarmingly low in India - somewhere around the 1400 mark, which may sound a lot - but it isn't. We've heard stories of Sariska with its failing breeding programme, tourists disappointed with a lack of tiger on their tiger safari and perhaps most bizarrely, importing cheetahs from Syria to live in Jaisalmer. Of all places. But the humble leopard seems to have slipped off the radar, perhaps because it's so shy and retiring - or simply that their PR company isn't up to the job. Well, at Wire we've completely fallen in love with this underrated and under-represented species and have decided to do something about it. With a little help our course.

Elephants have been a common sight in Rajasthan for hundreds years - they carried the Maharajahs to their palaces and forts, were used in warfare and also as working animals. Even today more than a hundred elephants still work on a daily basis in Jaipur, ferrying tourists up the steep climb to the Amber Fort. But with ever-increasing temperatures in the region, there has been some vocal criticism concerning the welfare of these gentle giants.

There are few things in this world that would incite me to get out of bed at 5.30am, especially after minimal sleep. But today was one of those rare occasions, and boy was it worth it. Yes, we were in Ranthambore National Park this morning - and Ranthambore means tigers. And yes, we actually saw one!

Well, we made it. Out of the office that is – and yes, the Rajasthan Research Run is officially underway! After weeks of preparation and talking about it, it feels good to actually get on to the back roads, in to the countryside and be surrounded by what can only be described as breathtaking scenery. No matter how many times you think you've seen it, there's always another perspective, and today was certainly no exception.