‘Wild India’ Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for ‘Wild India’.
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When we think of nature in the raw, we instantly picture a magical paradise. One where animals roam free and do their thing while mankind goes about its life far, far away. Which oddly enough is an accurate depiction of how the world was structured for quite some time. Because back in the day, nature had plenty of room to stretch out and thrive. But sadly, that image has changed as time has marched on. Because in present day, mankind the one that needs more room to stretch out on this tiny little blue ball and now, we are seeing nature and mankind live together in big cities that continue to sneak into nature’s domain. But believe it or not, the particular paradise that we just outlined, still exists in this world and last night, BBC America took the time to examine one, by way of the beautiful documentary; Wild India.
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Now in this particular journey, we venture to Karantaka in India, to explore a beautiful oasis for nature. One so unique and so beautiful and so perfectly isolated from man, that the animals that live here, are able to thrive and survive in utter peace. But what makes this area of the world so unique, is the sheer fact that it boasts just about every biosphere known to science and a bevy of species that we are familiar with live side by side in relative harmony. Which made for some incredible sights. Since you don’t expect to see elephants walking about the jungle alongside tigers, but that happens here and it’s wonderful to see. But while it was quite delightful to see so many various species of animals functioning together in a balanced eco-system, what would a documentary be without learning moments?

Which is something this documentary offered up in spades, since we came to learn a lot about the mysterious and majestic King Cobra in this tale. Such as the fact that this particular serpent has no problem with eating other snakes, and it will even feast upon its own kind simply because it can. In fact, they’re so into cannibalism, that they will outright eat their own young if given the chance, making it quite the miracle that this species survives since they’re that competitive and starving. Yet while it was downright incredible to learn that fact, it was equally as amazing to see the mating habits of lizards that can soar from tree or tree, or the peacocks that roam this land and truly, watching those little crabs near the shores work in numbers to feed and keep one another safe was breathtaking for certain since clearly, this part of the world functions like a well-oiled machine. 

An observation that brings us back to the notion of a balanced eco-system we mentioned a moment ago. Because what really allowed for this documentary to shine and demonstrate how this part of the world is a perfect paradise, was its quiet demonstration of how every animal in this place, knows its environment to a tee. Because every species that lives here, knows exactly how the seasons play out, and that allows for them to venture to the right spots for food and water at exactly the right time. Take the elephants for example, who know what path to take in the dry months, in order to find a limitless water supply. Or the smooth coated otter, which knows what ponds to set up in camp in so that their family can feed, and they are so in tune with the limited window that nature presents them with to get what they need, that they will do things they don’t normally do. Since the aforementioned otter will straight up give a tiger the business when it enters their waters to cool off, in order to protect their food supply.

In the end however, this was simply a lovely documentary. Because it did a phenomenal job of taking us upon a diverse journey, one that allowed for us to see every corner of this genuinely beautiful place, all while teaching us some incredible lessons along the way. But what matters most, is that this particular documentary, does a wonderful job of inspiring awe and wonder within its audience. For we really do see some incredible and breathtaking sights, the kind that simply grab hold of you and never let go, and it is just wonderful to escape in this manner and travel to a place of the world that is genuinely natural and free and being able to bear witness to that and immerse one’s self into it, simply brings peace to one’s mind. Which means that credit needs to go to BBC America for once again offering all of us a documentary that accomplishes such a feat and at this point it is safe to say, that we’ll all be waiting with baited breath to see what other incredible stories about our world, BBC America is going to send our way as the summer rolls along. Until next time.

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