11th February
by Dr Katherine Wynn-Owen
An unforgettable first full day in Sariska.
After arriving at the reserve the evening before where we were welcomed with food, drinks, music, and got to know each other with some impressively enthusiastic dancing, today marked our first proper immersion into the course. The morning lectures grounded us immediately in the realities of conservation in India. We explored Sariska Tiger Reserve its place within India’s protected area network, and the crucial importance of connectivity between protected areas. We also discussed definitions of health in wildlife and ecosystems, the growing complexity of human–wildlife conflict, the role of wildlife health professionals, and the broader factors threatening biodiversity in India including shifting values, population dynamics and trends, and patterns of consumption.
A spirited cricket match before lunch provided a welcome burst of energy, complete with light-hearted contesting of the result! In the afternoon, we entered the reserve itself for an orientation drive, and the theory of the morning suddenly felt tangible. The dry deciduous forest stretched out in dusty greens and browns, alive with movement. We watched sambar standing alert between the trees, herds of chital moving through the undergrowth, langur monkeys sitting high in the trees, crocodiles basking beside the water, and two jackals trotting purposefully alongside the track, while a peacock in full display added an impressive burst of colour. By the end of the drive, the top count was forty bird species, a strong start for the course. We didn’t see a tiger, but there was no doubt we were in its territory. Pugmarks marked the track, and scat was a clear sign of recent activity.
The day ended with a practical health and safety session before dinner, a necessary reminder in an incredible first day.
