Being a nature lover, I like to visit zoos and animal sanctuaries. On numerous occasions, I have got a chance to have a look at wild animals.
Last year due to the lockdown imposed because of corona virus, my city residents remained confined to their homes. When the administration ended the lockdown, I had a sigh of relief. To break the monotony, I decided to see the zoo near my hometown .There were a number of wild animals there but I considered myself fortunate as I came very close to a tiger. After visiting the enclosures of snakes, lion, elephants and hyenas, I finally arrived at the tiger’s cage. I was alone in a group of visitors and after about five minutes we could hear the thundering growl of a tiger and gradually we were blessed to see it at a close distance, it was just a hundred yards away from us Tiger is a carnivore animal, so it eats meat or the flesh of animals. I noticed that the management of Zoo takes care of all wild animals and gives them proper food from time to time.
Save Tiger is a movement that has been initiated successfully to save the depleting population of tigers. Food scarcity is a problem for humans and tigers alike, with each poaching the other's prey. As of that day, I had seen tigers only in pictures .It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to witness the majestic presence of this wild cat from such a close distance. I had read a lot about life in Sunder bans which is in Bengal and how tigers affect the local life of the villagers living around the forest there. I had watched a movie on tiger attacks in Sunder bans and used to fantasize about the horrors of life there.
Vocabulary:
- Fantasize- to think about something very pleasant that is unlikely to happen
- Poaching- to catch and kill animals without permission on someone else's land
- Depleting-to reduce something in size or amount, especially supplies of energy, money, etc.
- Monotony- a situation in which something stays the same and is therefore boring.
Part 3 Follow Up - Questions & Answers
1. Besides the animal you just spoke about, what other wild animals are there in your country?
My country is a biodiversity hotspot with its various ecosystems and is known for various wild animals like bears, wolves, foxes, lynxes, wild cats, badgers, elephants, hyenas, lions and weasels.
2. In general, how do people in your country feel about wild animals?
As there is an inherent fear of wild animals,a section of society prefers to stay away from wild animals . These people fear the consequences. Whereas most of the people have a soft corner for wild animals and they try to help them.
3. What is the attitude of people in your country towards wild animals?
In my country, some wild animals like the snake and the elephant are worshipped. Poaching and hunting of wild animals is a menace which is being tackled by the authorities. Besides a majority of Indians, love to see the wild animals, whenever I go to the zoo ,I have always seen a huge rush for it.
4. Do you like wild animals?
Yes, as I said earlier, most of the people like wild animals and want their children also to do the same hence they go to the zoos.
5. Do you think people like wild animals?
Yes, as I said earlier, most of the people like wild animals and want their children also to do the same hence they go to the zoos.
6. Are there any wild animals that you dislike? Why?
In spite of my love for animals, I have a very irrational fear of spiders. I’ve on many occasions; literally hurt myself trying to get away from them. As I said this fear is irrational, I do not see any specific reason for this fear.
7. What about lions and tigers do you like them; After all, they sometimes eat people.
In my perspective, animals in the wild attack only when they are confronted or feel threatened. Due to the rapid increase in urbanization, and the rate at which deforestation is being done, man is encroaching the natural habitat of these wild cats . This I think is one of the reasons why lions and tigers have turned man eaters. Instead of fearing them, it would be wise to redress this problem.
8. In your country, are people’s attitudes towards wild animals today the same as people’s attitudes in the past?
Today, in my opinion, the attitude of people towards wild animals has undergone a sea change than in the past. In the olden days people were afraid of wild animals and used to worship them. They even used to hunt and kill them in great numbers. However, today people are more aware of the importance of animals and the need to conserve the environment. Hence a lot of initiative is being taken by organizations and governments around the world to protect wild animals.
