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---My Dream---
Before I write about my dream, I would like to ask you some
questions. What is it that catches the imagination of a child more than
anything else in the world? What is the one place every kid likes to go for
a picnic? What stories does a mother tell her child at bed time? What
does a child really love watching? What do toys for babies resemble? A
kid may like to eat chocolates or play with toys, but nothing gets his
undivided attention like ANIMALS do.
Be it a stray cat or a common crow, our childhoods have been filled
with stories, books and toys of animals. Maybe to make us behave, maybe
to scare us, maybe to teach us kindness, maybe just to depict love, we
have always been given examples of animals. A picnic to a zoo is every
child’s first dream destination.
I have had the same fascinations and awe for animals since my first
visit (I was 3 years old then!) to ‘Rani Baug’ the zoo in Mumbai. Yet I
vividly remember the huge hippo, the lion’s loud roar and the rhino running
around in its enclosure. Over the years, books and Animal planet fuelled
my desire to see various animals around the world. As I grew up I visited
the Mumbai zoo every year, longing for something more. As time passed
the Rani Baug fell into shambles and today it is not even the shadow of its
former days.
This then is my dream: ‘To visit an internationally acclaimed zoo to
enjoy it and learn a bit about how to run it.’
I want to see a really great zoo with lots of animals, not only to
enjoy it, but also to learn the logistics and operations, so one day I can
run a similar zoo here in India.
Why an international zoo?
A zoo because... well because dreams have no reason. It has been my
dream even before I knew what dreams were. Seeing real live animals has
had a fascination over me. Of course it is a part of the bigger picture of
running my very own zoo. I know it will take time and lots of efforts, but
it’s worth it. I want the kids in India to have the same fun of seeing these

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animals while being in India itself. I believe, though kids read about
animals in books, but the effect of seeing them alive is magical. It puts a
smile on their faces and a joy in their hearts which is impossible to
achieve anywhere else.
An international zoo, because frankly no zoo in India captures my
imagination the way international zoos do. I have spent my childhood
watching endless episodes in Animal planet yearning for a chance to visit
these places someday. Also, these zoos have non-indigenous species and
have a better understanding of how best to make them feel at home.
There would be lot to learn and pick up. Not to mention the joy of seeing a
lemur or a platypus, a raptor, say the golden eagle, poison blue frog and so
many other creatures.
What’s there to learn?
A lot of things. Michael Crichton mentions in the ‘Jurassic Park’ that
it is not a cake walk to run a zoo (let alone a prehistoric one!!!). I tend to
agree with him. The most basic problems would be building (or should I
say ‘engineering’) animal enclosures for various different species of
animals from around the world, to learn how to acclimatize these animals,
to work out the logistics and handling operations, to learn how to sensitize
the public about animal well being. It’s kind of like a lot of hard work! But
then, my passion drives me on and that’s what makes it fun!!!
Also most of these zoos are self sustaining tourist attractions.
That is one more thing to learn from them. If I were to start the zoo, it
would still be a business, and would have to have a sound model to sustain
and become better over a period of time.
Which zoo would it be?
I would like to visit either:
• National zoological gardens, South Africa
• Singapore zoo, Singapore.
The national zoological gardens is one of the zoos which have the largest
variety of animals and travelling to South Africa gives me a chance to
explore ‘animal reserves’ in Africa.

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The Singapore zoo is one of the most attractive zoos in the world. It also
has a marine world and a Bird Park nearby which makes it an exciting
destination to visit.
Depending on which zoo officials could give me some time to help me gain
insights I would like to make the choice.
What would I do with the money if I got selected? (Budget outline)
The money would go in buying the air tickets, and for living and
other travelling expenses. This can easily be done within the prescribed
budget. Either of the destinations and a stay can be fitted in the given
budget.
So is money the driving force to run a zoo?
For any venture to work for a long period it has to make money to
sustain itself. However that is not my driving force.
My driving force is the joy and happiness that comes on the face of
any kid, or an adult for that matter, when they are watching animals.
My driving force is to build a home for animals in a world where
forest reserves are fast depleting and many species are getting extinct.
My driving force is the future generation being able to see animals
which would maybe be extinct in the wild in the future.
My driving force is to give a place for kids to see the animals which
they only see in books in India.
My driving force is creating a place where parents can take their
kids for the experience of a life time.
My driving force is my fascination for animals and the feeling of
contentment in my heart when I would achieve it.