As I watched the video of the man mauled by a tiger in the Delhi zoo, a range of emotions swept through me. I wondered whether he should have bent so far just to get a closer look. Or was he trying to take a photograph? But was it worth the risk?

I could hear the sounds of voices in the background of the footage and thought that even if the tiger hadn’t planned to attack, that noise would have spooked him and made him go for the kill. It seemed like an eternity as the man crouched there, being stared at by the wild animal and then swatted with its paw. So, why wasn’t there time for help to be summoned?

All these are questions that will never be answered, but what was even more appalling was the fact that some could stand there and tape the whole incident and then post it online. It reminds me of those who rubberneck, who slow down to watch an accident scene and hold up traffic as their curiosity is being sated. If that person in the zoo had the presence of mind to record the incident, surely he could have raised an alarm and shouted for help until some action was taken?

The fascination of such footage is mind-boggling and I must admit even I succumbed to curiosity and watched it. However, there are many others to whom this was forwarded and they refused to view it. For them, it was a matter of principle.

The Delhi zoo authorities say the man was warned by the security guard there not to cross the stand-off barriers, but he slipped through anyway. However, the victim’s parents say it is immaterial whether he pushed his way through or jumped in or was shoved from behind. They are demanding strict action against the security guard, which is understandable.

But this incident, sad as it is, throws light on many other issues. Back home, for example, it is common for zoo visitors to ignore every warning sign posted and do exactly what they are asked not to. You will see some feeding the animals and if the beast is lurking inside a shelter, they will shout and even throw twigs and pebbles to draw its attention and lure it out of its hiding place.

I am against the idea of animals being exhibited for the entertainment of humans. Taking them out of their natural habitat and enclosing them in confined spaces is just cruel. I acknowledge that there are breeding and conservation centres for endangered species, but these programmes are geared to the animal, not humans.

If one is curious to know about animals and observe wildlife, there are better ways to satisfy this thirst. The first would obviously be to go to the places where they actually live in the wild. Travel there instead of bringing them to your doorstep. If you don’t have the resources to do this, there is an even simpler way of learning more about these animals. Watch channels such as Animal Planet and National Geographic. The programmes are well-made, intensively researched and you are provided close-ups of the lifestyles of even the most reclusive creatures.

Not only are these interesting to watch, they impart knowledge that you may never gain from driving down to the nearest zoo. These channels give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of all forms of life. What you learn is that every living thing is awesome and there is a reason for the existence of every creature, whether it is a venomous snake or a creepy-crawly that you believe the world would be better off without. Respect for every species is at the core of peaceful coexistence and guarantees harmonious living.

So, the next time you voice a desire to see something up close, remember that the encounter could get too personal for your liking.