Photo Feature
Too Close for Comfort
While wildlife tourism is a vital conservation tool, the over-habituation of large carnivores such as this curious Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris photographed in the Umred-Karhandla Sanctuary (see Sanctuary Asia, Vol. XXXVI No. 2, February 2016), can lead to provocative situations in which even one panicked tourist could trigger an aggressive response. India needs to rethink its wildlife tourism priorities and undertake a massive orientation and education programme for forest staff, guides, locals and visitors to ensure that both humans and animals stay safe, even as every visitor is turned into an ambassador for wild nature.
Photo: Samyak Kaninde
Location: Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra Details: Camera: Canon EOS 7D, Lens: Canon EF 300 mm. f/4L IS USM, Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., Aperture: f/5.6, ISO 320, Focal length: 300 mm. Image taken: January 1, 2016; 8:34 a.m.
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