wildlife

Circle of Life

The word “wee”, the prompt for SoCS this week, led me straight to a YouTube video. “The lion sleeps tonight” is my go-to song whenever I have a bad mood. Having watched both versions of “The Lion King” movie, this is one of my two favorite parts of the remake. Weembaway (YouTube link to the song sequence; embed available at the bottom) – at least that’s how I pronounce it – is always joyful to listen to as well watch.

The last time I watched this song, it gave me quite different vibes than the usual. Maybe, what I saw was influenced by my state of mind.

When the ambiance around is good, so many friends stay around the singing Pumba and Timon to enjoy the music. But when in danger, only Timon stays. Even if he can’t help Pumba, he’s the one who encourages him to run for life – “Run, Pumba, Run!”, “I’m coming, Pumba. Hang in there”, he keeps calling as he himself is running. Also, Pumba doesn’t fail to warn his friend even when he’s in a trap – “Run for your life”, he shouts and only then starts his run. Maybe moral support is what we all need in life!

Nala interrupts the best scene in the woods. Life is always such, pulls a brake when everything is so smooth and happy. How easier life would’ve been had Nala not entered the forest! Maybe that’s the perfectly right time or the perfectly wrong one. Who knows?

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International Tiger Day 2021

As many of you might have come across already, today, 29th July is observed as the “International Tiger Day”. This is commemorated every year since 2010 to spread awareness about the dangers faced by tigers, to conserve the tiger species, and to preserve their natural habitats.

This year, the theme for the day is ‘Their survival is in our hands’.

According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), these wild cats are one of those keystone species that are crucial for the integrity of the ecosystems in which they live. In short, when tigers thrive, the whole ecosystem thrives. They help in maintaining the harmony of nature.

In spite of being apex predators, do tigers really face dangers? Undeniably, that’s a yes. Most declining tiger populations are threatened primarily by habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and wildlife trade, declining prey base, and conflicts with humans.

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Lone Wolf

When Rune found a friend in me, it was his postures – hunched shoulders, ever lowered head, tucked-in tail, timid and fearful eyes – that portrayed him as an omega wolf yearning for a non-hurting companion.

The scars of terrible abuse could be felt when I patted his back while he sat silently by my side, but that didn’t mean he was loved less by the pack as I’ve witnessed the aggressive ones giving their dear omega a chance to win games at times.

Oddly, today I could feel a deep pain in his eyes that usually held fears and I was assured of my guess when Rune left my side in a direction opposite to that of his usual return, indicating that he has made his mind firm of becoming a lone wolf leaving his natal pack to nourish himself with adequate food and, find or form a new pack for himself beyond his birth territory.

Wolf Pack Mentality:

I loved this wolf in the photo so much that it inspired me to read about the characteristics of wolf packs. Continue reading →