Encountering with Wild Animals - Essay Example

Order 483940: Reflective Essay By (Name): Tutor: Institution: Course: Date: Encountering with wild animals is great. An elephant symbolically implies patience, stability, honor, and strength. Over my last summer holiday, I managed to visit the Bali Safari in Indonesia, where I encountered with the elephant. I liked the animal due to the symbols we as Christians name it; it is a sign of chastity, patience, and temperance. According to the tour guide, I learnt that various cultures visit the same animal every season for various reasons. For instance, according to the Chinese people, an elephant symbolizes good luck, longevity, and happiness. However, I am not clarifying on symbols, but the kind of elephant I met was so friendly and reminded me of the value we give to it in our society; it is an animal we so treasure and respect. The relationship I built with the animal was so great and would involve feeding it and ensuring it was safe all the time I was with it. I had carried enough that it could require. Its best meal being grains, I had with me several dry maize that would feed it and have it full of the entire journey. Its friendliness thought me a good lesson; that life with animals could change the way of thinking to better scenarios. I was encouraged by the way the animal cooperated and behaved so friendly. According to the park, the elephant was named joy, a significant name to imply it was a happy creature. It took us very little time to click with each other, after which we could walk around and as it tries to raise the trunk to scare something away. At times, it could move faster while it could slow down at times to create space for us to catch up with it. Like we learnt in class various animals would have its totem. The one for my lovely animal was an indication by ‘The Talmud' that "Let the honor of others be as dear to you as your honor". A significant reveal of the totem would imply that every animal in the park was important and ought to be honored by everyone who needed to be honored in return. I would appreciate the conscience of the elephant. Anthropologists have discovered great implications of the cultural attributes of an elephant. It is an animal with much respect for nature but would easily get angry if scared away or wronged in a way. Bearing that in mind, I would be careful not to hurt my animal by any chance. We could be close to each other and access the nature the way it liked it as it took us round to see its two calves. This was the friendliest animal I ever encountered with. It was well trained and encouraged to mingle with the people in the right way at any time in life. My age, at mid-twenties, would not scare the elephant at all since our relationship could not be influenced by age. Socio-cultural factors of the animals in the park could not be a difficult situation to deal with, as it increased positive attitudes towards each other and enhanced our close relationship. I could sense that the animal was delighted when we fed it. It sometimes took for it to accept to take the food since it uses the sense of smell to sense for any danger around it. As it accepts, it shakes it tail all round, a clear indicator that it is delighted and has accepted to take the food provided. The social position of the elephant created an amusing scenario, where it could be able to relate to the humans by use of signs and sound. The tour guides knew the elephant well even when it is in bad moods since it could indicate it by the sound it produces. The relationship of the animal was therefore determined by the social nature and the reactions it signifies to every individual who interacts with it. However, it was not a violent creature as no history had been given to ‘Joy' concerning any past attack on the visitors. According to the information on the types of elephants, there existed other species of the animal that could attack the humans and even kill them by destroying using its force and feet, and finally burying it on the ground. My experience with the animal increased my likes for the animal and changed the way I could relate to the actual attributes of nature. That park in itself made me believe in the beauty of the animal's farm. It motivated me towards the want to visit more animals and learn about their social and cultural relationship. Additionally, I could be able to focus on my course and understand the anthropology part of the course in a good way. It was indeed a great experience to dwell with as it increased my likeness and the ecological pit of the entire world to want to learn more with time. I also discovered the necessity for further research concerning the rude elephants, who do not relate well with humans. I can attest that the encounter with the elephant marked the beginning of my good relationship with the animals. Since I parted the place, I have been able to notice the significance of learning the entire life of an animal and understanding them accordingly. It is this knowledge that has made me appreciate nature and would work extra hard to ensure the animals around my area are safe and comprehended by the community. One skill I learnt from my park visit is the ability to associate well with the animals without fear. Additionally, I would utilize most of my time to educate my community concerning the importance of keeping the animals' safe and encouraging proper participation in wildlife conservation. Most of the elephant species have extinct due to poaching. At the Bali Safari, poaching is prohibited, and the offenders of the same are arraigned in court and fined more than one million or three years imprisonment. I liked the rules that ensure the animals are safe and that there is order in the parks to avoid too much loss of nature and boredom. Additionally, the lack of proper facilitation of wildlife services could lead to the inability of the tourism sector to prosper and generate adequate revenue. As I plan for my next holiday, I would consider visiting the same park as I miss the nature of that elephant. I could dream about it the whole night and imagined if it were a bad species. Proper care ought to be taken on the animals to ensure they thrive in every environment and dwell well in their habitat to ensure they are well maintained. The availability of various animals in the environment could facilitate the health of the environment and develop it better into a lasting change that would increase positive change. The elephant would take care of its offspring well; hence, was considered responsible. I also learnt that the strong ones would always stand for the rest to fight and win. They were, therefore, loyal and determined. Its natural habitat would never be intruded by strangers, hence were safe and would not be afraid of any form of challenge that could face them. Their offspring are always protected with the great sense to avoid getting conflicts and exposing them to danger. They grow with a lot of love from their parents up to their older age, where they can decide to take care of themselves. Their social connection and advanced sensitivity especially during their time of death would be very high. They sense so and could travel to a specific place where they rest until their time of death. They die very responsible since they do not have to be forced to die but since it was early when they have accomplished their roles. They, therefore, die a peaceful death and are surrounded by their families when they die, that is, their fellow elephants. It amazed me how they cooperate and turn against a common enemy. I was made to understand that their death is natural when not interfered with by poachers and the other forms of nature. The presence of the elephants at the park enhanced the beauty of the whole area and increased the accessibility of the tour guides to the area since most of the elephants cannot cooperate with strangers, unless they are attended by a guide. The physical features of the animals are very special and depict the long life they live. Their skin is very tough and reduces the entry of any sword that may be aiming them. In the event of danger, the animals could signal themselves and gather in one common place where the male ones could occupy the front side to avoid their calves and females getting injured. An act of responsibility is therefore depicted and changes the nature of the animals' habitat. The animals were, therefore, amazing, but the elephant, known as Joy, whom I fed was the most amazing and friendly. My essay would not be complete without mentioning the photography part of my visit. I managed to take several photos posing with Joy the elephant and feeding him. It was a nice experience and created a very effective and creative environment for me to learn. I came back exhausted due to the extreme heat but having captured a lot and gaining more knowledge on the species of my choice. Therefore, my journey to the Bali Safari was full of good memories and great significance to my career. Bibliography Suprayogi, B., Sugardjito, J. and Lilley, R.P., 2012. Management of Sumatran elephants in Indonesia: Problems and challenges. GIANTS ON OUR HANDS, p.183. Read More