N(ot)ational A(vailable)nimal (N.A) :)

That was an exciting Saturday morning, as we had planned to celebrate a friend’s birthday in Bannerghatta National Park and Sanctuary. There was not too much of planning required for the trip, so we simply took a BMTC bus to the National park. Our original idea was to simply roam around the park and spend time. But after reaching there, we found out that there are other interesting aspects like Jungle Safari and Butterfly Park. Reluctant to spend more time on the Safari ride [We were quite sure that we would not be able to see many animals], we chose the Lion and Tiger Safari ride. We took our seats close to the window and started to watch out for (if) any animals outside.

Around 2 pm our safari ride started.. “Animals ellam kooda saptu thoongra neram, hmmm”, my dearest friend was mouthing our thoughts.. Lion Safari began, we almost had our heads out of the van, Theeerrrrrrrrrre, under a tree, were one Lion and Lioness sleeping, totally unaware of a van full of people very close to them. It seemed like nothing could disturb them from their deep afternoon nap. With some dry snaps of the sleeping beauties, the lion safari came to an end..

After some 5 minutes ride, the Tiger Safari area started.. By this time, people had become tired putting their heads out and had started comfortably sitting in their places, -[eppadiyum oru 2 tiger than thoongittu irukka pogudhu, adhukku ivlow kashta padanuma].. But much to our surprise and excitement, we started seeing some 2-3 tigers together including some white ones... The sight left us speechless and the van driver started moving towards the streak. We were looking outside with our mouths wide open unable to believe the reality of it..
How Majestic..!! Tiger is one of the animals that need to be treasured from extinction, for the very simple fact that mankind will never want to let go such a picture of beauty, waste..!!
Moving forward, we were able to see more an more of tigers, in streaks of 2 and 3 and there was a wild imagination that if all the 1411 left out, were present here in Bannerghatta only..
One tiger even crossed the road, when our bus paused some 100 metres before it... What I was quite skeptical about was that how come these cruel wild animals act so normal in front of human beings.. Were they ever tamed in spite of living in a sanctuary..??!!?? God only knows.. !! On the whole, that was an exhilarating experience and simply loved it.!!

No wonder such tourist spots are so crowded, in spite of people being so busy and having very less time for recreation and stuff. All the more, it’s only this love of nature that still lets live the spirit of humanity in mankind.
Somewhere, I read that because of the Global warming effect, animals are deprived of water and hence we can help them by keeping a bowl of water outside in the balcony or terrace. But the general strategy to maintain balance in the ecosystem is only by stopping to feed animals.
"Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. So please do not feed any animals... All ready we turned most of the monkeys and elephants to beggars..." - By one of my friends who is fanatic of Wildlife and Photography.
Another Knowledgeable Excerpt:
There are several reasons commonly given for confining animals in zoos and aquariums:
1. Education of the public, not only teaching them about animals but also promoting conservation.
2. Scientific research on the biology of captive animals, sometimes with an eye to helping save them in the wild.
3. Breeding endangered animals so they can be reintroduced into the wild.
4. Providing the last refuge for a species that will inevitably go extinct.
5. Entertainment for the public, which makes profits for the exhibitors.
But the fact is that, not many of the so called-Well educated-Civilized-Citizens are aware of the above reasons.
Wild Animals protection and conservation is a serious issue in the crisis of their extinction and its high time people who make profit out of the entertainment mend their ways. Ecosystem Balance is also a major concern like Save the Tiger, Save the Earth, Save Paper and Tress campaigns. The Tropical band of the world with the highest percentage of flora and fauna should concentrate more on the ecosystem balance for the rest everything to stabilize. Zoos and Circuses where wild animals are being exploited should be discouraged by the public and government. Let them also live their lives in their own ways.
Its never too late to start and lets start it today only..!!