India’s Wandering Lions—a civilization that respects wildlife

NATURE / PBS

PRECIS:

PBSNATURE | India’s Wandering Lions | Preview | PBS

 

Premiere date: April 13, 2016 

India’s unique culture, filled with ancient reverence for natural life, has allowed the lions to recover from the brink of extinction.

As India’s population booms, her legendary wildlife has been squeezed almost out of existence. But the commitment of the Indian people to preserve their wildlife is surprising – leading even to bringing back what has been lost. Against a backdrop of teak forest, farmland and villages, this film explores the extraordinary story of Asia’s last lions and their recovery from near extinction.


And, as a bonus:

Finally, a BBC version of the same story:

The Last Lions Of India -BBC

Special comment | Ruth Eisenbud

Screen Shot 2016-04-21 at 7.38.48 AMThe implications of ahimsa are far reaching and extend beyond the care and protection given to animals. For example the fear of Muslims in christian nations knows no bounds. Recently a student was escorted off a plane for speaking arabic… This is the paranoia induced by the flawed notion that animals, nature and humans not of the tribe must be subdued, dominated and controlled. In India a beautiful young man of Muslim origin, Asim is allowed to express his love of animals and nature, as an elephant keeper at the Wildlife SOS India Elephant Sanctuary. During the recent rescue of a former circus elephant, Rhea, who was nervous as she entered the gigantic ambulance taking her to freedom, Asim got in the vehicle with her, gently made eye contact and then hugged her trunk… She was soothed and comforted. Not only has India brought back its lions, it is rescuing all its Elephants held captive in zoos and circuses… Meanwhile an elephant in a San Antonio, Texas zoo, will likely never see freedom from her bondage. In judeo.christian nations it is always legal to keep an elephant in a zoo or circus. The law must allow for animals as human property… it must allow for human supremacy. It is against the law in India to keep an elephant in a zoo or circus. In India they are living beings worthy of respect.