Our Intern Banu set off on an adventure to explore some of the wildlife of South Africa in the outskirts of Cape Town. She wrote a 2 part blog about her experiences.
Check out Part II:
On monday morning, we made a Safari tour of big 5. I couldn’t see leopard. Still, it was stunning to see big 5 and other animals that I didn’t even hear the name in my life. I asked questions during the game drive about animals and their lives there but the more I asked the more I had questions in my mind. I felt uncomfortable by the fact that some animals were isolated from others and that they were not really in their natural environment. For instance, lions were separate from all other animals and they were fed by the game reserve. They were not hunting or doing anything else but just lying down all day long. Was I inadvertently contributing enclosure of animals for the sake of tourism? I always though it’s better for example to have a tamed cheetah or lion rather than having it extinct but I couldn’t quite understand what was going on at the game reserve.
Not all countries have this much to offer in terms of exposure to wildlife. Considering that tourists are coming partly to experience these attractions, conservation of wildlife is crucial for South Africa. In my opinion, not leaving any question in tourists’ mind should have a primary importance first, not to attract criticism on conservation of wild life from other countries, international organizations etc., second, for South Africa’s tourism sector, game reserves, conservation centers and similar players to not dig their own graves and finally to make sure that visitors don’t feel guilty about their participation to attractions.
At places where I was well informed on everything about animals I felt very good because I had the chance of playing with animals and overcoming my fears. Also, seeing how children are comfortable and fearless with animals or seeing them overcoming their fears gave me hope about the future. I hope they will keep the same peaceful, positive, understanding, respectful and sharing attitude life long and thus, they will make the world a more peaceful place to live.
All the best,
Banu
