India for Halloween!

Reid Park Zoo right here in Tucson is offering a sensational trip abroad that teaches about conservation. Imagine seeing the Taj Mahal, and a tiger in the wild in the same day!

The trip begins October 25th and ends November 12th. The first day will be all traveling, but from there you will have:

A few days in Delhi then on to Nagpur/Kanha National Park, which is home to the tiger,leopard wolf,sloth bear, and many more. From there you will head out to Bandhavgarh National Park, here you will be learning about the conservation of the white tigers and you will actually be seeing the tigers in the wild either by jeep or on an elephant's back!

According to Susan Basford of the Reid Park Zoo, who will be attending the India trip, the tigers are supposedly easier to spot via elephant back. Basford explained that the trip is about soaking up a new culture. She said that the trip is not as much actually acting out ways to save the environment, but more just learning about conservation.

Basford and I agreed that although there is much to be done right here in Tucson to save the environment and the local wildlife, the idea becomes much more tangible abroad when you see all there is to save in the world.

Basford has traveled all around the world observing animals and their natural habitats, and she encourages all who are able to take the plunge abroad.

"I don't think you can travel and not come back changed," said Basford.


After the white tigers, you will move on to Khajuraho and see the sandstone temples of India's ancient heritage.

Next you will travel to Jhansi/Agra to see the Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and of course the famous Taj Mahal in Agra.

Agra is not only about the Taj Mahal, you would also get a chance to visit the Agra Bear Rescue Facility. After a quarantine period, the bears are put into large enclosures where they can socialize with other bears.

Then you will move on to Jaipur, which in known as the "Pink City" because of the terra-cotta lime plaster.

After this you will return to Delhi where you will begin your journey home, or you can have the option to stay a couple of days extra and go on to Kaziranga National Park, which in the only known natural habitat for the Indian one-horned rhino.


This is just one example of the trips offered by the Reid Park Zoo that you can get involved with. Most trips teach people about conserving animals' natural habitats and some offer actual interaction with the animals, depending on the trip.