There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
09-16-2014, 06:29 AM( This post was last modified: 02-05-2021, 09:11 AM by peter )
Pckts\ dateline='\'1410818163' Wrote: This subject always intrigued me. I have seen animals motherly instincts take over even when the youngster is the prey of the predator that is protecting it. Animal emotion runs the guantlet, same as our own. Personalities are all different and each reacts differently.
Motherly instinct, experience and character are important, but there's more to it than that.
Senses of animals are well developed. Captive big cats often are able to discover anything out of the ordinary. Some trainers told me they were able to detect disabled children in a large crowd in seconds. Big cats also seem able to get to the core of the personality of those they interact with. Many animals seem to have preferences.
I noticed captive big cats interacted with people or animals they liked. They, however, object to the presence of those they dislike. They select you, that is. Not the other way round. If an animal likes you, he or she will let you know right away.
Returning to wild animals and feral children. When wild animals accept human children, a lasting relationship is developed. It could be that the ability to adapt has something to do with it. If a child raised by animals survives for some time, it will never readapt to humans.
Although education (by animal) is the main factor, choice also seems to be important. Children who connected with wild animals preferred animals over humans. Those able to find their way with humans after their experience with animals (very few) never forgot the past. Some of them returned to the wild.
In the days of the colonies, Europeans had the opportunity to connect to a different world. Some wrote about it, but others were unable to find the right words.
One man, a former civil servant, told me about expeditions in New Guinea in the thirties of the last century. Every now and then, people got lost in the forest. A few were found. As they seemed lost, they were send to Europe. They called it 'Tropenkolder' (tropical madness).
When they had recovered and returned to Indonesia, they seemed different. Some felt so lost they returned to the forest. Search parties sometimes found a deliberate trail to the tree where clothes, shoes, cap, gun and ammunition had been changed for a more natural suit. After that, the trail ended. So what do you think, I asked the old man. Him smiled.
