Janet Ritchie |
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Inspired by Nature |
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The text message reads: "Can I give you a lift to the RSPB AGM tomorrow?" My reply reads: "Er, no thanks, I'm in Tenerife!" About to spend the day at Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz, in fact. Ironic, since I'm not fond of zoo parks, prefering creatures to be wild as Nature intended. However, sometimes humans have to 'do something' to try and redress the harm we cause. The Loro Parque Foundation was set up with this in mind; I join hundreds of other folk keen to see the results in this huge, well laid-out park. Koi carp greet us: a milling, multi-coloured throng of beautiful changing patterns. You could sit all day watching them, absorbing their calm. An emu pokes his head over a bush, snooty face dismissive of such ideas. A couple of big cats and gorillas look rather bored with life. Planet Penguin is well laid-out, spacious; two birds stand motionless under a simulated snow fall, eyes fixed on a distant shore. For some reason this makes me feel infinitely sad. The vast aquarium is a real marvel: we walk through a tunnel with sharks swimming overhead. Other colourful, weird shapes swim silently past, beyond the tough glass. Further on, a giant Galapagos tortoise [Tom, aged 40] has amorous intentions towards his young lady friend, who gives him a 'run' for his trouble. Meercats race about, noses pointed in all directions. Alligators are busy doing so little they appear stuffed [they aren't: an eye slowly blinks]. Chilean flamingos mill around their enclosure in pink confusion. Most of the parrots and other birds are confined in small spaces. To be fair, a huge new aviary is under construction, which will allow free flying birds more space. Some of the birds here are under threat in their native habitats anyway. At least people can see them up close and personal. For me, the real stars of the Parque appear at three separate shows during the day. Californian sea lions give every appearance of a natural sense of humour and fun: clearly they enjoy their very funny performance. It's not just the assembled children laughing, there is not an adult present without a huge grin in place. Later, in another pool containing 7 million litres of water, an altogether different display by Florida dolphins. Put through their thoughtful paces, they show graceful intelligence in every move. The most amazing demonstration takes place in another pool, 22 million litres of water for these animals. A huge screen over the pool shows us how the Orcas were brought over from Sea World in the USA. Huge black and white animals squeak and whistle, loudly impatient to begin. We are warned about tidal waves as these beasts start swimming and jumping, spraying anyone too close. The raport with a trainer is obvious and touching, the trust complete. I glance down to where a young girl sits in a wheelchair. Her movements are sporadic and unco-ordinated, she watches these creatures through a plate glass pool wall, in awe and wonder. Suddenly, she is splashed as the huge animal races by: the look of absolute joy on her face brings tears to my eyes. As we all stand to leave, I'm not the only one rummaging for a hanky - there is something incredibly moving about the mighty Orca. |
Walking back to my hotel, I wonder how the RSPB AGM is going. Also how much inspiration we can get from Nature, in any circumstances. I only managed 20 species of wild birds on the island: blackbird, buzzard, canary, chiffchaff, collared dove, rock dove, little egret, yellow-legged gull, grey heron, cormorant, kestrel, Monk parakeet, feral pigeon, Berthelot's pipit, house sparrow, blue tit, turnstone, grey wagtail, Sardinian warbler and a whimbrel. But each and every one is something to be cherished for itself. Without Nature in all her shapes, humans are missing something fundamental. Ask the girl in the wheelchair.
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