I’ve never seen
a tiger in the wild.
No, really. I’ve seen sloth bears dancing
with butterflies in Bandipur, one-horned rhinos
too close in Chitwan, elephants even closer
in Mudumalai. I’ve had the wealth of
the Great Barrier Reef float past me
as I snorkelled the deep.
But I’ve never seen a tiger in the wild.
I've heard the warning call of the monkeys and the deer, seen the pug
marks on the forest floor made just minutes earlier. I’ve sat waiting for
hours in a safari jeep behind a screen of scrub while the tiger feasted,
grunting, on the other side.
And I’ve never seen a tiger in the wild.
And, you know what? That’s fine with me.
The greatest thing about wildlife is that it’s wild, free, unobliged to show
itself. And that unpredictability of sightings is something to celebrate.
It takes the pressure off the big animals, and calls on you to appreciate
the smaller ones, the little creatures who are also so much a part of
the wild wonderland.
This special wildlife issue has so many wonderful windows into the wild
packed into it. We have the best Indian sanctuaries (and spoiler: they may
not be the ones you’re expecting), snow leopards, urban animals,
and the colourful creatures of the deep...
As always, there’s lots for you even if the wild doesn't rev your engines —
personalities like feminist writer Ismat Chughtai, Birdman of India
Dr Salim Ali, and historians’ takes on how the world might remember
Fidel Castro. There’s a wonderful story on why we dance, which might
explain India’s obsession with Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. We have travel and
food that will make you want to explore our world, and, well, eat.
And our innovations section this issue brings you all the latest from
the Consumer Electronics Show this year — incredible inventions,
dramatic new ideas, wild advancements...
Because it is a wild, exciting world out there — and it’s time to go out
and discover it. KnowledgemagazineindiaKnowledgeMagIndKnowledgeMagINDDownload this current issue from
http://www.zinio.com • http://www.magzter.comHas something you’ve read in
BBC Knowledge intrigued or excited you?
Write in and share it with us. We’d love to
hear from you and we’ll publish a selection
of your comments in the forthcoming issues.
Email us at: [email protected]
We welcome your letters, while reserving
the right to edit them for length and clarity.
By sending us your letter, you permit us to
publish it in the magazine. We regret that
we cannot always reply personally to letters.Primrose Monteiro-D'Souza
Editor & Chief Community Officer,
BBC KnowledgeSEND US YOUR
LETTERSeditor
From the
EXPERTS THIS ISSUE
Dr Charudutt Mishra is the Snow
Leopard Trust's Science & Conservation
Director, and co-founder of India's
Nature Conservation Foundation.
Charu has come face to face with
wild snow leopards on several occasions.
In this issue, he talks about Anu.Matthias Fiechter is Communications
Manager for the Snow Leopard Trust.
He tells stories about snow leopards and
the people who work to protect them to
wildlife lovers around the world. In this
issue, he joins Dr Charu Mishra in telling
the story of Anu.Fredi Devas is the producer of the urban
jungle episode of Planet Earth II. He spent
four years getting to know the incredible
animals living in the city. In this issue,
he talks about animals in the city.Padma Shri Urvashi Bhutalia is
a prominent Indian author and publisher,
In this issue, she profiles feminist
powerhouse Ismat Chughtai.4 8 April 2017April 2017