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Join Sanctuary’s online network:Such kind of unruly behaviour is common. It’s the sad truth.
Nothing much can be done except that we maintain our dignity,
respect wildlife and keep our trust in forest offi cials.
Radha Sharma, Chennai
One can only hope that more people do introspect and realise
that it is the wildlife experience that matters the most – the
photograph is only a bonus. And yes, when one is sharing the
wildlife experience with other fellow travellers, it is boorish to
monopolise the ‘sighting’.
Anand Vishwanadha, Hyderabad
The government safari at Kabini is notorious for this. It simply
takes away the joy of a safari in a glorious jungle like Kabini.
Whenever a big cat is seen, many of those inside the vehicle
become rabid and the so called ‘wild animals’ outside the bus go
on about their lives in a much dignifi ed manner.
Sridhar Nagaraj, Bengaluru
Wildlife photography is now a booming industry, no longer an
art. Many of the so called wildlife photographers don’t follow
ethics. Animals are just showpieces that they must photograph,
ignoring the stress they cause. Thank you for raising this issue.
Fergus Mark Anthony, PuneTWEETS
How come we cannot even divert our railways to avoid a
national park that houses the last surviving Asiatic lions
of India?
Ghanshyam@ghanshyam_in
Nepal wanted a railway track to go through the Chitwan
National Park to save costs. Folks like @santoshsanepa made
sure the track went around.
Kashish Das Shrestha @kashishds
Considering the situation they were in, we have done well.
Expansion and relocation should be the next target.
SSRao@sujithrao
No one wants tigers/lions. Only lip service. Predators mean
protection and diffi cult to mine or clear.
vaidya@aydiav
I am reminded of a time when I was 10 km. outside of Gir in my
car. A lion family just like that, crossing the road, cannot forget.
Ashish@iam_ashishhttp://www.facebook.com/sanctuaryasiapage@SanctuaryAsiaA recent post (see Readers’ Forum on page 96)
by Sanctuary reader, Shruthi Shankar, highlighted
how a group of photographers bullied others on a
bus safari in Kabini and monopolised the windows
without letting others even have a glimpse of a black
leopard and a tiger. Our social media members expressed
their thoughts:
COMMENTS
This is what happens most of the time. Everyone has the right
to enjoy the moments spent in wildernesses, but more often
than not, selfi sh people spoil the mood. Everyone with a camera
is not a wildlife lover; for most of them, taking a photograph
matters more than anything else. A genuine wildlife enthusiast
will ensure that everyone gets to cherish their experience.
Siddhartha Kumar Gogoi, Bengaluru
My last trip to Kabini was terrible too. A family delayed the
start of our jeep safari by 20 minutes. On the second day,
a woman terrifi ed by the sight of an elephant herd began
screaming at the bus driver to drive away. Others chattered
throughout the safari despite the guide’s and driver’s request
for silence. I hope that the Kabini management wakes up and
takes the eff ort to make the safari experience better for both
enthusiasts and wildlife. However, not all people who have
cameras are bad. I did see some people with amazing gear who
were there because the jungle is their second home!
Mani Sriganeshan, Chennai
People think they love wildlife. What they actually love is
themselves. Their ego is way bigger than their love for
nature. It’s about showing off their photos with gigantic, ugly
watermarks and feeling like they have achieved the world when
the picture receives 100+ likes. This is the reality.
Tanur S., Mumbai
It’s a pity your safari was spoilt by such behaviour. I remember
a man who gave loud instructions to his family during an open
safari jeep, despite being told by the guide to keep quiet and
not scare a lioness away.
Binu Sivan, Dubai
It is a mad rush to get the best photo, the best seat, the best
sighting, the best safari vehicle, the best naturalist, the best
driver... the list is endless, but these people don’t realise that we
are in someone else’s home. It is important to remain civil
in unmonitored situations. This is a virtue we are losing
very rapidly.
Christopher Stanley, Bengaluru
We had a similar experience in Bandipur. People really don’t
know how to behave on safaris. Stricter guidelines need to
be enforced.
Abhijit Argade, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania <www.sanctuaryasia.com>