So here we are, 24 hours away from World Animal Day, 24 hours away from another Global March for Elephants, Rhinos & Lions. Another! The reasons are many and have been covered time and time again. Yet we are still seeing rising poaching rates, species collapse, uncontrolled logging, water pollution, rising consumption and waste, while all the time proclaiming we WANT wildlife to survive, but behaving as if our intention were quite the contrary. Calling for an end to poaching isnt enough. If these animals are to survive, they need space to do it in. Real space. Not national park islands surrounded by increasing human pressures. So many atrocities, graphic images, abuses, cruelty, and just plain bad news. It is hardly surprising recent health reports suggested conservationists were often depressed, suicidal, run down, and just plain angry. We are as guilty as anyone. But let us build up to what we hope is a momentous day. For all the doom and gloom, there are truly magical moments that money cannot buy. We should never forget these and have them at the forefront of our minds before we gather. Laughs. By the bucketful. Moments of pure wonder, surprise, and beauty. These fleeting moments make it all worthwhile and surpass all the BS. That first moment seeing mountain gorillas through the Virunga forest. The subsequent silverback charge. Lions feasting on kudu inside the Kruger NP on a clear African night. Being kissed by a rhino. Outwitted regularly by honey badgers. Bottle feeding orphaned lion cubs and seeing them grow into big boys. Enjoying an early evening cuppa outside your shack before the piercing cries of a mother bushbuck giving birth just 6 feet away from you, and seeing those first teetering steps. Looking with doe eyes at a newly hatched gharial crocodile and being unable to resist sticking out a finger to see if it would bite. I wasnt disappointed! That first tiger sighting in India. Those sounds of the bush, none more welcome in my ears than the cackling hyenas announcing their arrival. Hyenas entering camp at night and helping themselves to your mates backpack. Oh yes, there are lots of laughs at others expense. The bites, electrocutions, mauls, loss of digits, infections, mites and ticks, and the odd dash to the safety of a tree as the resident male rhino doesnt like the sound of your wheelbarrow! It really is a wonderful world if we respect it, open our eyes to it, and embrace it. So, with this oldie - and we arent talking about Sir David! - let the ever irrepressible Sir David Attenborough get you in the mood.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 00:26:49 +0000
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