This snow leopard cutie (that I use as my avatar) lives in Darjeeling in India at the zoo. Normally I don’t like seeing animals caged in zoos, but here they have a snow leopard breeding program. The species was nearing extinction until they started this program. They have had much success over the years. I was lucky enough to visit the zoo in March 2007. By chance we met up with the Supervisor of animals who offered to show us around the breeding centre which is closed to the public. What a wonderful day that turned into. I was delighted to get so close to these beautiful creatures. I even managed to stroke this fellow through the bars. The fur was exquisitely soft. He was a frisky fellow.
The mother, Neeta, was a real poser. As we walked around her enclosure she kept moving and posing for our photos. I will post some photos of her at some stage too. But this cub stole my heart completely. I am full of admiration for those who are ensuring these lovely creatures survive. I was so impressed by the love and devotion that the supervisor showed for the animals in his care. He was also a wonderful artist and gave us copies of his pen and ink sketches of the leopards and also red pandas. I treasure those pictures. I have no way to contact him or I’d ask permission to post them here.
If ever you are in Darjeeling, don’t miss out on a visit to this zoo – even if, like me, you don’t normally like zoos. It was a highlight of my entire stay in the area. I’d go so far as to say one of the highlights of my life to date.
Those deep, wonderful eyes suggest that this beautiful creature has magnificent stories to tell!
Amazing, look at them eyes! So cute.
The eyes are magnificent aren’t they?
Welcome to my blog Muller
Thank you
Lovely pictures!
Saw your avatar first at Café Philos. I love Panthera uncia. Tied with Felis concolor for my favorite wild animal.
- M. \”/
Meowlin, welcome. Beautiful creatures aren’t they? I’m glad you stopped by. Do you have a blog?
“Do you have a blog?”
Alas, not yet. For now, between duties in realspace and what time I can spend in cyberspace, I’m kept busy enough visiting those of others.
“Beautiful creatures aren’t they?”
“Beautiful” doesn’t even come close. But i guess it’s the best word we have.
- M. \”/
Apropos of your remark that you have no way of contacting the supervisor of the Darjeeling Zoo, I don’t see why not. Darjeeling is a small town, and a letter addressed to the person at the Darjeeling Zoo, West Bengal, India, will surely reach him. Maybe if you don’t know his name or exact designation, you can enclose to your letter a copy of one of his drawngs which will connect him.
What are the things you are thankful to India for?
Aren’t the Himalayas (and its people) wonderful?
You have a beautiful blog.
Amit, thankyou for your comments. Funnily enough, a few months ago that very supervisor of animals contacted me via email. This was a year after my visit. He’d been ill and now he was better wanted to establish contact. I hadn’t even remembered that I’d given him my email. So we are now in contact
I’m very pleased.
The Himalayas and people are wonderful indeed. I am hoping to return in 2009 for another visit. I underwent some profound inner changes during my three months in India (doesn’t everybody?)
Please visit again. Do you have a blog?
Thanks for your response. Isn’t it good to hear that the Zoo man could establish contact with you. I seem to have a sort of (low level) ESP – but mostly they manifest in trivial matters. Don’t laugh, he he he. And no, I don’t have a blog. You do need a lot of spare time if you want to maintain a blog – or maybe I’m not energetic enough. But I often feel that I want to say of lot of things and express my thoughts and ideas – for which a blog is the best medium. Perhaps I should get more enterprising. Which part of Australia do you belong to? Not South or Western Australia by any chance? (I just wrote that without much thinking: that’s two guesses – just testing my weak ESP, okay). Take care.
Well Amit, your ESP wins again
Yes I live in the South!!
Not in Glenelg?
Amit, no, other side of town. I take it you know the place?
I don’t know the place at all. Have never been there.
Amit, what a mysterious creature you are!! Glenelg is the premier beach suburb but I prefer the hills. Glenelg is always busy, bustling and packed with people. I prefer the solitude and peace of my end of town.
Would you believe it if I said the name came in a dream! (Don’t). Since you read a lot and are smitten by India (there is much of the sordid and the crass in India, apart from meditation and yoga), have you by any chance read The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham? I merely mention that because Larry in the story acquires some yogic sort of powers in India, and the novel is, as usual, brilliantly written by Maugham (pity he didn’t get a Nobel). I read it a long time ago. If you care to send me an email at the ID given, I’ll tell you the mystery of Glenelg.
Amit, I love Somerset Maugham’s work! Must read The Razor’s Edge now.
Thanks. Riddle shall be answered in mail soon. Thought of writing today but felt too lazy. By the way, do you have Gaelic relations? Meanwhile I hope you are enjoying Maugham. Next should be Nevil Shute.
Amit, I have read (and own) practically every Nevil Shute book written. Northern Ireland and Scotland are my background. I came to Australia at 5. Most of my relatives still live in Belfast.
The oracle speaketh and the truth revealeth. Nexth in list is the Mind of God by Paul Davies, formerly Professor of Natural Philosophy (physics) at Zen’s hometown university. Mail goeth, inbox checketh? Gibberrish concludeth for todayth.
Amit,
You made me giggle with your gibberrish. Have just checketh and readeth and will replyeth in the near future. Thanks.
Merci.