Let Our wildlife be wild
A Call for Responsible Wildlife Interaction to Preserve the Wild
A troubling pattern has been emerging on the roads leading to Abu Road in the tranquil Abode of the Gods, where nature’s grandeur unfolds in every corner. In my years of studying local animals, I have never seen such a devastating toll on the monkey population as a result of careless vehicles rushing through their habitats.
During repeated trips to and from Abu Road in recent months, the roadside images have been frighteningly similar—dead monkeys laying by the side of the road. Regrettably, I was without my trusty camera to capture these heartbreaking events.
As an animal lover, I understand the impulse to pull over and feed these hungry critters. However, I advise individuals who like feeding wildlife to reconsider; you may be unintentionally contributing to their extinction rather than assisting in their survival. The consequences of such activities extend beyond the immediate moment, posing difficulties for both the animals and the people who share their environment.
Here are three strong reasons why it is critical not to feed monkeys and other wildlife:
1. Death: As these animals become habituated to human interaction, they lose their natural fear, increasing the chance of deadly collisions with automobiles.
2. Loss of survival instincts: Animals’ reliance on people for sustenance reduces their capacity to hunt and fend for themselves, jeopardising their fundamental survival instincts.
3. Human health and safety: Close contact between humans and wild animals brings hazards to both parties, including illness transmission and potentially violent animal behaviour.
In an ideal world, the local forest service would adopt a hands-on approach by placing warning boards along highways and informing tourists that feeding wild animals is totally illegal and punishable by law. While this may appear to be wishful thinking, such actions might be critical in encouraging a more peaceful cohabitation between humans and nature.
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| Gray langur baby hit over by a sppeding veghicle opp Veer Bapji Temple |
On my way back from a water body in Achalgarh, I caught a heartbreaking photograph of a monkey that was hit by a fast car, most likely driven by an irresponsible or intoxicated man headed towards Gurushikar. The sparse traffic on the road only amplifies the cruelty of such heinous acts.
It is our mutual obligation as custodians of this amazing natural environment to allow our creatures to be wild. We can preserve the lifespan and well-being of the many animals that call the Abode of the Gods home by rejecting the impulse to feed them and pressing for stronger measures to safeguard their habitats. Let us aim for a peaceful coexistence in which nature can live unhindered by the unexpected effects of human activity.
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| Gray langurs moaning the death of one of their babies |
