Language barrier for ‘Tamil’ tiger in Udaipur

According to reports, Rama has not been responding to commands in any other language. Animal keepers at Sajjangarh Zoological Park, Udaipur, are trying hard to make the new member settle down at his new home. But all that he responds to is the commands of Chellaiah, his caretaker who has accompanied him all the way to the zoo. In fact, he has taught the animal keepers at Udaipur a few words in Tamil like va (come) and po (go), for them to interact with Rama. Interestingly, Rama has been responding to their commands after they began communicating to him in Tamil. 

However, S Shanmugam, assistant director and public relations officer, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, said that it was surprising that people linked languages to animals. He said, “Languages are only for us human beings. Animals largely respond to actions and sounds. Chellaiah who has accompanied Rama to Rajasthan is now teaching the animal keepers there Rama’s habits and his routine, apart from showing them how he instructs him. He will return to Chennai in some days; there is no way, he can teach them Tamil in such a short duration.” 

Chellaiah is one of the four animal keepers posted on duty for the 28 white and Bengal tigers in the zoo. Earlier this month, Rama was sent to the zoo in Udaipur, as part of an exchange programme, where the tiger was exchanged for a pair of wolves. This is the first time that the Udaipur zoo has a white tiger.