Maverick

D'AFRICAN SAFARI !!

Yup, a slightly exaggerated title, but my experience last week could not have been better expressed sans this aforesaid title... My myth was shattered upon spending a day's time in ANNA Wildlife Sanctuary - Ada namma Vandaloor Zooo pa...

Not me, many people have a few common myths. i.e., Circus, Zoos, Cartoon networks, Siruvar Malars and Tinkles could cater to the needs of the children segment alone. Apart from first two (Circuses and Zoos), I was clear that the others were myths, cos I had a liking for all of the others even now. (Siruvar malar, of course has shown a fall in its quality).

Well, it all started this way. Was a weekday off for the Mangalam inhibitants (ada, enga flat paeru Mangalam Appts), and we were planning for an outing. Some place away from the city, some place in the woods, or waterfalls was my suggestion. Giri came up with this idea of Vandalur zoo. I was initially relucant, and a bit skeptical, but eventually got into a consensus as we could not think or rather spot any other place with a scenic backdrop.

Was there by 12:30 noon. Thanks to the monsoon rains that we weren't perturbed by the scorching sun. Da Safari begun. "Enatha perusa paarka porom. Ellathaum koondukkulla pidichi potrupaanga, sema gappu adikkum". This was my preconceived notion entering the zoo.

Pleasantly surprised by a single fact throughout. The space for all the incumbents were just more than enough. Not a single species had a constraint in terms of space. AATC - Animal allocation and Task committee has done its part so well (the meaning of this sentence could be appreciated by a selected few, but no ull kuthu).

First they have a zone for all birds on earth. Then for the carnivores, relatively huge space covered for them. Then a section for the scavengers - the hyenas & vultures. And a wide area covered for the reptiles as well. A minimum of 10 different species of crocodiles were there, and a separate building encapsulating the different breeds of snakes (was really a bit scary).

A commonality that prevailed in all animals housed in Vandalur was that they were least bothered by our presence, giving us a look like "Ethana pera paarthirpom, Nangellam...". On the contrary, we (all people) were in sought of their attentions time and again, by making some sounds, gestures and even some guys went to an eccentric extent of throwing stones at the hyenas to awake them. Who is now missing out on the sixth sense??!!

We were impressed the way in which the zoo was modeled and maintained and were discussing on the same, when ironically we heard a voice saying this - "British kaaran kattirpaanda".

Though would not say its an extremely wonderful place for outing, but for sure would say or recommend the Chennai ites to come here once. Worth an experience. A few snaps recorded during MY SAFARI...