Instagram reels showcasing wildlife often offer a captivating glimpse into the wonders of the animal kingdom, serving as both educational and entertaining content for scrollers. There are many wildlife conservationists and photographers who post content from the natural habitat of wild flora and fauna. Through these short videos, viewers can immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of wildlife, from majestic big cats to pretty birds in vibrant greens. Moreover, they play a crucial role in raising awareness about conservation efforts and the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems. On World Wildlife Day, My Kolkata looks at some reels that are not only fascinating but informative too…
Vantara is the new talk of the internet
Anant Ambani’s Vantara came to the limelight ahead of World Wildlife Day, and it has the whole country talking about it. Vantara means ‘Star of the Forest’ and it covers 3,000 acres of land within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Petrochemical Refinery Complex in Gujarat. The project aims to provide a safe and natural habitat for rescued, injured and endangered animals from various regions of the world. Vantara also has state-of-the-art facilities for animal healthcare, research and education. It also claims to house the world's largest elephant hospital. Recently, Reliance Foundation posted a reel narrating the story of a blind elephant, who was treated at Vantara. While it is a heart-touching video, it also educates the audience about the facility and the work it is doing.
Garrett Galvin is in the Colombian forest!
Garrett Galvin (@fishinggarrett) took Instagram by surprise with his ‘Yoink’ videos. While he went looking for an invasive 20-feet Burmese python in the Everglades, Florida, he came across many wild animals that he picked up with his bare hands to educate his viewers. A licensed conservationist and wildlife enthusiast, Galvin attracted many viewers who found it fascinating and he gained more than six million followers! And, since the internet is a funny place, people started making hilarious comments on his videos for tackling alligators, deadly spiders, snakes and other wild, dangerous and poisonous creatures. One said, “The whole jungle is cursing that Burmese Python”, while another wrote, “Death is scared of bro”. Someone even created an account with user ID @20.ft.burmese.python! While the reels are fun, Galvin does an incredible job of rehoming invasive animals to maintain the balance in the ecosystem. He is currently in the Colombian forest. Watch his recent video below.
Into the wild at 19
Aman Sharma, who runs the Instagram page @birds_of_india, is Nikon's youngest wildlife photographer, at 19. Aman often engages in birding with his mom Shikha, who is also a nature enthusiast. The 19-year-old has been working towards raising awareness about conservation. Recently, he was seen with Dia Mirza in a reel where they talk about sustainable travel. Aman's reels are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also showcases the varied animal kingdom of India. In the video below, he has compiled a slide of photos he has been taking in the jungles since he was 14, and made it into a reel. Isn't it incredible?
(@birds_of_india_)Remembering Steve Irwin
Remember Steve Irwin, the Australian wildlife expert and TV personality who became famous for his daring encounters with crocodiles, snakes and other animals? He was the host of The Crocodile Hunter, a popular show that featured him and his wife Terri exploring the natural habitats of wild animals and educating the audience about their conservation. Irwin also founded and ran a wildlife sanctuary that rescued and rehabilitated injured and endangered animals. Irwin died in 2006 after being stung by a stingray on the chest while filming a documentary in the Great Barrier Reef. His son Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography) is a wildlife photographer and he often posts about his dad. On World Wildlife Day, watch this video Robert posted on Steve Irwin Day (November 15). The video shows how passionate he was for wildlife and the environment.
A full moon night in a forest
Many nature and wildlife enthusiasts would agree that the jungle on a full moon night is mystical. Wildlife photographer @shaazjung recently posted a reel that shows the silhouette of different birds and animals against the full moon. Each shot is fascinating! The shots where we see an antelope and an owl are cinematic and beautiful! Check it out below.
Big cats fight
You may have seen a tiger hunt, but have you ever seen two big cats fight? In this reel by @aravindsrini88, two tigers – Taaru and Paras – at the Taboda Andhari Tiger Reserve take on each other. But why did the two male tigers get into a fight? According to the reel caption, a certain area of the reserve is getting more populated and these two male tigers got into a paw fight to expand their territory. What happened next? Check out the reel.