The Witty Stride

– Satyakam Ray

Before any danger from natural calamities, animals somehow get a subtle hint about an impending event. The following examples are accounts of unusual animal behavior.

• In Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park, Yala National Park, elephants ran to higher grounds. This occurred before the tsunami struck the coastal region. Similar incidents were reported in Thailand. Not only elephants but also bats exhibited unusual behavior. Dogs and other zoo animals also showed unusual behavior in the days leading up to the incident.
• Before earthquakes, dogs, elephants, lemurs, and other animals become restless and try to run to a safer place. According to Friedmann T. Freund, a research scientist at the SETI Institute, animals in Peru’s Yanachaga National Park disappeared weeks before a 2011 7.0-magnitude quake hit the region.
• Glacier melt and the subsequent flood of the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand resulted in significant loss of life. People were unaware of the impending danger. Surprisingly, the fish did not swim deep into the river. They stayed close to the banks. It was as if they had sensed something was wrong before the incident.

In light of these instances, some questions may arise in rational minds.

1. Do animals have a sixth sense? Do they have a strong sense of an alarm system, much more sophisticated than human beings? Can they predict earthquakes well before seismographs can record them?
2. Animals are much better able than humans to react to pre-scientific natural calamities or attacks. Does this unique ability come from their proximity to nature in general?
3. Do humans also possess such special natural abilities from the beginning, but lose their connection with nature over time?

Several scientific theories have been proposed to tackle the above questions. Still, the puzzle remains unsolved and requires further clarification and research from the scientific community.

• A pressure wave (P-wave) arrives before the seismic wave. Animals such as elephants can detect the P-wave and associated vibrations and respond by running in a panic.
• Some researchers propose that slight changes in Earth’s plate motion during earthquakes affect the magnetic field. Animals are believed to sense these minor magnetic field variations.
• Aquatic animals are widely believed to be able to sense disturbances in inter-sea water currents. These disturbances can signal dangerous tsunamis and groundwater changes that precede floods. 

Yet most scientists remain unconvinced by such theories and assumptions. Only a few anecdotal shards of evidence support the claims. Serious field experiments have also been conducted. Researchers sought to verify the validity of unusual animal behavior in controlled environments. These efforts yielded no results.

Human and nature interaction:

From the very start, humans lived in communities in the jungle. With rapid industrialization, many people have forgotten how to navigate the natural world. An irrational desire drives them to live in the concrete jungles of cities and towns. Still, many people spend their lives in nature, depending on the jungle for food and shelter. They are well aware of the rules of nature. They often act as custodians and guardians. They preserve these rules in the event of destruction. Forest dwellers usually seek natural medicine for illnesses. They also strive to protect their children and families from impending danger. Many claim that these secluded people are wary of strangers and are usually ill-equipped with modern technology. Tools and apparatus. Nonetheless, an attachment to nature is inherent among tribal peoples, as it’s passed down as heritage.

The ability to recognize clear danger signals provided by nature is diminishing among urban populations. During the Alaknanda River flood, when the fish gathered on the banks, very few people noticed a change. The water had turned from blue to grey in the middle of the river. Similarly, before the devastating Tsunami, the water on the beaches had receded significantly. It moved approximately half a kilometer, or up to 1 kilometer, into the sea. The beach surfers were relaxing, unaware of what would happen next.

The saga of human-nature interaction goes back many centuries. Interestingly, the so-called less-civilized tribal people perceive danger signals more accurately than modern scientific instruments. During the tsunami, a few people died in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands because they knew the situation. The tribes in the Amazon rainforest have also survived numerous natural disasters. Shamanic tribes in North America spend much of their lives blending with nature. They live like wild animals.

Road Ahead?

Indeed, it’s tough to connect with nature like the followers of shamanism. But a few steps can be taken to bridge the gap.

• Building treehouses in the nearby forest as a second dwelling is a promising idea. Many people who adopt this modern perspective find solace in nature and form a deep connection with Mother Earth.
• Young people should participate in camping and trekking activities to raise awareness of the importance of nature. But garbage collection and the cleanliness of the camping site should be handled.
• “Connect with Nature” programs should be organized often to stimulate young minds. Seminars, workshops, and short treks can teach children more about the natural world.

So, the next time the pet dogs start barking hysterically, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. It is not necessarily an earthquake, as no scientific link has yet been established. It can also be any general danger. As responsible nature lovers, we should heed the signs nature gives. These signs serve as warnings before any disaster. Being close to nature enhances our sensitivity to detect dangers.