Ngorongoro Crater - Safari in Tanzania

"Can we go to the bushes?" asked Yin. The safari guide looked around. "No" he said, "it is too dangerous. We will go to the built toilets." Just then, a hungry cheetah sauntered by. He looked like he had not eaten for weeks. His shoulder and thigh muscles rippled, but the rest of him was thin and his stomach looked empty. He hardly glanced at us. We were mesmerized by the sleek movement of this cat, the first cheetah spotted on our 4-day safari in Ngorongoro Crater.

That was a close shave, I thought. Can't imagine having to run for my life with my pants down!

Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is often referred to as the "Eden of Africa" and is the 8th Natural Wonder of the world. It is a volcanic caldera with a large collection of many species of animals. Humans are able to go on vehicle safaris here. We are kept safe in huge, heavy yet fast moving vehicles that allow us to remain standing while on the move, as we try to spot the Big 5.

The Big 5 are the five most dangerous animals, rated by hunters, to hunt on foot. They are the Elephant, the Rhinoceros, the Lion, the Leopard and the Cape Buffalo. We spotted the Big 4. The leopard remained elusive throughout the four days we were there.

I watched in fascination as herd after herd of wildebeest moved around and at times broke into a run for no apparent reason. Maybe they were practicing for when the "hunters" come. Zebras grazed peacefully amidst huge herds of gazelles. I watched them with a smile as the gazelles pranced and frolicked around. I looked at the huge open space they lived in. Yes, there were predators and being at the lower end of the food chain, they had to be ever watchful. But, that is life in the wilderness. Should any of these free ranging creatures be in a zoo? Even a zoo as "open" and as "free" as ours in Singapore?

Perhaps for endangered species of animals, to help them regenerate. But for all these others? Do we need to put them in enclosures and cages for humans to view? Do we really need to "see" them?

"Thomas" called Mama Gazelle. "Do you want to be in a zoo?"

"What's that Mum?" asked little Thomas looking up at his mother. "Well, that is where you can be safe from lions and other predators. You get food given to you. You need not look for it. You can sleep in the sun all the time."

Mama Gazelle looked far into the distance. "That is where your Papa is," she whispered, soft enough so Thomas could not hear her.

"Wow!" exclaimed Thomas. "That sure sounds great!" He tilted his head and looked hard at his mother. "So, what's the catch?"

"You have to give up your freedom." said Mama. "What's that?" asked little Thomas. "Well son, look around you. You won't be able to see this any more."

"Not ever?" asked Thomas, his eyes opened wide as he gazed around him. "Not ever," said his Mum. "Whoa then Mum!" exclaimed Thomas. "No way, Jose! I am staying here. This is home Mum ... this is home." And Thomas looked around him before he heaved a sigh of happiness and continued grazing contentedly.

Do we really need zoos?