Who realizes that a pet was once a wild animal? Recently a pet parent was going behind a pet dog without a leash. When asked why he didn’t use the leash, he replied that his pet did not want to be chained. No pet wants to be leashed.  Leashes are used to prevent animals from harming strangers. Fortunately, that unleashed pet did not harm the children or passersby. But in gated communities, there is a general rule that no pet could be taken for a walk without a leash. An animal is born to have five senses and tamed animals obey their masters for fear of punishment. Sometimes, pets perform feats for rewards. Until recently, we saw that bulls or horses were punished with whips. Nowadays, this torture is slowly coming down as people are scared of animal welfare activists. Bullock and camel carts were man’s inventions when no automobiles were there. However, we have forgotten their evolution.

All domestic animals were once wild animals and were domesticated by human action. Men were depending on animals from time immemorial. Elephants, horses, and camels were used extensively in wars. Contemporary domestic animals like dogs, cattle, horses, or camels were once wild but unfortunately, no one may believe that those were also once wild. Trained elephants in circuses and temples dance to our tunes literally. However, tamed elephants are seldom healthy.

The huge ‘leucodermic’ trunks and ears found in domesticated elephants are clear evidence that they are nowhere comparable to the natural wild elephants. Annual elephant camps are organized in states like Tamil Nadu to give a boost by making them live in a natural atmosphere. Elephants in the wild are healthier and gorgeous. Most of the time, we found the chained elephants in temples weaker. There is a dire need for the existing wild animals in the jungles to preserve their wild character. But what we experience is contrary to reality.

Wildlife tourism has taken a heavy toll. 100s of jeeps are being plied by the Forest Department inside the protected reserve forests. Of course, such Safaris are professionally organized by the department. But it is forgotten that we are intruding on wild animals’ privacy and disturbing the silence of the forests. The moment any jeep spots a big cat, the driver communicates to other jeep drivers and the next minute the jeep convoy surrounds the animal, making the animal retreat inside deeper zones.  In a recent safari, it was found that a tigress was casually lying on the ground, unmindful of the visitors. On seeing strangers, the big cat neither attacked nor growled or roared. In many cases, the tigers and leopards in the forests get accustomed to tourists on their safari. In another case, the elephant trumpeted and moved towards the jeep when the driver comforted the tourists that it was a mock charge and there was nothing to worry. The status is similar, either in Bantipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, or Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

In any case, these are not good developments. There is nothing wrong with conducting a Jungle Safari, which is expected to create interest in conservation. But wildlife tourism must undergo serious changes. Wildlife authorities should revisit the existing safaris all over India. Keeping a safe distance from wild animals, avoiding noise pollution, stopping rushing the other jeeps, and limiting the tourists are some of the measures that can help keep the wild animals, wild. The argument that the Forest Department will lose its revenue does not hold water. The government should pump in more money for protecting the wild assets.