Wildlife Wee(a)k !

Some of us need an example, we are never convinced with statistics, logic, etc. We want a true story! Then, common, read this true tragic story. This will make you put down your head with shame, it did to me!

Does 'dodo' reminds you of your pet name? Does it looks funny. No,This 'dodo' is a tragedy. A flightless bird that inhabited the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and lived undisturbed till the Portuguese set foot on

the island in 1505. Do you get the meaning of the above sentence, if not, you will surely understand this- The whole of dodo species was killed some 300 years ago. If "Oh, common man, who cares?" is our mentality then we are the ones next. Yes, the bird demands pay back. It is calling another plant species along with it now!

Portuguese, when they came, introduced new animals to the land(viz, dogs, pigs, etc). Almost half of the dodo population was killed by the foreign animals. The rest were hunted down by man for food. Now, after more than 300 years, when man has almost forgotten the flightless bird, erupts anew volcano.

The island was suitable only to specific kinds of trees. Such trees have a life-span of about 300 years. Now the trees are in the 'endandagered list'. If the scenario continues, there Will be no trees, hence no rain in that island. People are extremely worried. They are all dead for sure. Now, i hear you saying, "life of human at stake? this is indeed serious!"

Scientists, after serious research have arrived at a conclusion that, the extinction of dodo is the only reason for the current situation. Scientists found out the species of tree on the Mauritius that has stopped germinating for the past 300 years. As the average life span of this species is about 300 years, they would soon die out and become extinct. It was not a coincident that the tree stopped germinating 300 years ago and the Dodo became extinct 300 years ago. In fact, the dodo ate the fruit of this tree, and it was only by passing through the Dodo's digestive system that the seeds became active and could grow.

Now people are trying different methods like artificially removing the coat or using turkey bird to do the Dodo's job. Dodo did that at free of cost. will technology do? Wake up before it is too late. On the eve of wildlife week(October 1-7), let us try to understand and follow,

1. Wildlife is critical in maintaining bio-diversity. Indirectly and directly responsible for our life to sustain.
2. Do not introduce foreign animals as they tend to crash the whole system.
3. Catfish, which is not indigenous species, outnumbers our fishes and is a great threat to our fishes.
4. Even if you can afford a German shepherd, go for vaccinated Indian breed