Lions and tigers and bears

When you have walked among the wildlife, birds, reptiles and raptors in the nature-like environment at the Denver Zoo. For many urban families and children it may be the closest they get to an experience in the natural outdoors. But it is a worthy substitute that should not be missed.

The Denver Zoo is not just a zoo. It is an environment that transports you from the metro urban population to a sitting that makes you feel you are truly in the outdoors, in the habitat of the wildlife you are witnessing.

The zoo is an educational classroom. It is a place to visit, a place teens and adults can volunteer. When you are there it absorbs you into the sense you are moving from the plains of South Africa to the rainforests of the Amazon to the world’s deserts, the rivers and lakes around the globe and the tundra and frozen artic circle. The realism of the animal and bird environments cast you into a kind of outdoors reality show. One forgets you are in the midst of a metropolitan city.

One of the good feelings you leave the Denver Zoo with is simply having consumed the beauty and presence of wildlife and unique bird species being conserved and protected. You feel equally good to witness wildlife existing in an amazingly realistic and natural environment.

There is an abundance of programs open to individuals, families and children that benefit the animals and birds.

The Adopt-an-Animal classroom program is an interactive learning experience for school students. The adult volunteer program and teen volunteer program for ages 13-17 bring wildlife and young people together. Families and youth can be updated monthly by registering for the Educator, a bulletin available to the public. The zoo sponsors a Scout night each year that offers merit badge points. The Wild at the Movies offers adults and youth a unique wildlife film festival comparable to the popular Discovery Channel. A Halloween Boo at the Zoo day is a fun kids program held annually. The popular Zoo Lights runs through December, featuring animated animal light sculptures. 2008 is the year of the frog and the Denver Zoo will host a Leapfrog Day. These are just some of the community wide zoo programs.

Parents and teachers have an equally exciting variety of educational programs as well. The Children’s Conservation Theater, overnight Bunk with the Beasts, environmental service-learning, Young Scientists, Science Workshops, Guided group tours and career programs are some of the wide ranging learning programs where the zoo partners with metro area school districts. And the popular outreach program staff takes the zoo on the road. Some of these programs have a cost, which are supported by scholarships.

The family and youth educational programs and the classroom and community outreach programs administered by the zoo staff can be explored in detail by calling Matt Herbert, Outreach Manager, or Jim Garcia at 303-376-4867 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              303-376-4867      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. For general information, including group tours and outreach road programs available in metro communities, call 303-376-4888.

The Denver Zoo is one of the nation’s most extensive facilities housing a wide range of wildlife species. Don’t miss a day outdoors at the indoor world of the Denver Zoo.
source:http://www.metrowestfyi.com/story_display.php?sid=9632

Tiger Sightings Visit Ranthambore for a wild holidayz...

Ranthambore is known for it's tiger sightings and for the ones who are looking for an audience with the king of the jungle, the Ranthambore National Park is a great weekend getaway, about 140 km from Jaipur.

Ranthambore is well connected both by rail and road and for those wanting a jungle holiday, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ranthambore is the place to be.

The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is probably one of the only sanctuaries in the country where one can sight a tiger up close.

''Yes I saw a tiger. First we saw it walking along the road and then by a tree watching the deer as they were coming close,'' said one of the visitor to Ranthambore.

''I gather about 35 tigers here and we were just lucky, it was so close to the lorry that I am glad it had it's breakfast,'' said another visitor.

Safaris at the break of dawn, and a drive through the jungle at dusk are among few exciting Ranthanbore offers.

Between an open gypsy and canters, people vacationing in a large group can pick up their mode of travel.

Most of the routes for tourists run alongside the tigers favourite water holing, making it a great place to sight the big cats.

In the past two years, there has been a baby boom in Ranthambore. They have had 13 new cubs and a visit to this place can get a glimpse of the king of the jungle.

And to take back memories of these majestic animals, Ranthambore also offers a variety of tiger mementos.

The Ranthambore tiger sketches, mostly done in charcoal, are quite famous. T-shirts and souvenirs all add to make an interesting collection of tigeria.

There are hotels to suit everyone's budget in Ranthambore, from luxury five star hotels to those which are light on the pocket but heritage properties can also add a touch of history and romance to the jungle adventure.

The best time to visit Ranthambore is during winter but it is open for guests now too, except between July and September, the three months when it's shut during the monsoons.

source:http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080050080&ch=5/17/2008%207:35:00%20AM

The Indian State Kerala Ayurveda : From holistic treatments to health tourism in Kerala...

The Indian state of Kerala is located in the South Western tip of India. The state has a tropical type of climate and covers a total area of about 38, 863 square km. God´s own country as it is famously known, it is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats in the East and the Arabian Sea in the West and has a network of 44 rivers, lakes, and estuaries popularly known as backwaters, that drains into the Arabian Sea,. The state has a long shoreline with tranquil beaches which attract tourists from all across the globe. Besides this, the state is also famous for its age-old Ayurvedic therapy. Kerala Ayurveda is indeed gaining momentum worldwide for its holistic effect on the body and mind. The healing effects of Ayurveda have spread as much by government initiatives as well as by word of mouth. As a result, you now you can also avail of comprehensive Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages.

Ayurvedic massage is a medical treatment which can be applied to individuals of any age. However, the intensity of the massage varies from age to age. The ayurvedic massage therapy helps in relieving pain, improves blood circulation, relieves stress, sleep better, provides flexibility in muscles and remove toxic materials that gets accumulated in the joints and tissues. Interestingly, this age-old holistic treatment has become one of the main revenue generators for India in terms of health tourism. Tourists, who are Indian, but mostly foreign, are keen on Ayurvedic therapy forming part of the package deal for a tour of Kerala. The resort or spa which offers Ayurveda treatment in Kerala also provides you with Ayurveda diet, yoga and meditation classes, and massage therapy. From obesity to liver problems, skin care to hair loss everything is believed to have an answer in Ayurveda.

he equable climate and the natural abundance of forest with a large variety of herbs and medicinal plants make Kerala a wonder destination for Ayurveda. Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages are some of the most healing and restorative packages in India. The ideal time to book tours for Kerala Ayurveda is in the monsoon, when the atmosphere remains dust free and cool.

Several types of Ayurvedic therapies are practiced in Kerala. The most prominent ones include the Abhyangam, Dhanyamla Dhara, Dhara, Kativasthi, Ksheeradhoomam, Njavarakizhi, Sirovasthi, Snehapanam, Udvarthanam, Urovasthi, Vasthi and the Yoni Prakshalanam. The duration of these treatments ranges from seven to fourteen days or even more depending upon the package you are choosing. Each of these packages has some distinct medicinal value and helps in attaining the harmony of body, mind and soul.

Kerala Ayurvedic tour packages generally include accommodation for days depending upon the massage pack chosen, body massage and food. One can also avail the shared accommodation at a discounted rate. Kerala tour Operators have basically three options – a seven day package, a fourteen day package and a twenty one day package, from which the guests can choose depending upon his need. Among the prominent resorts which offer Ayurveda in Kerala include Sanjeevanam Resort, Somatheeram Resort, Thirummal Resort, Manal Theeram Beach Resort and the Keraleeyam Ayurvedic Resort.

source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/58894

Tour in Kerala Wildlife tourism gaining popularity

Wildlife tourism is slowly gaining popularity in kerala and many tourists, especially foreigners, are increasingly enthusiastic about spending time in the wild.

Many wildlife enthusiasts keep coming back for these special interest tours again and again. Though only five percent of the total tourists visiting Kerala are interested in wildlife tourism, their numbers are growing, say wildlife tour operators.

The tourists have six options to choose from, Silent Valley National Park, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), CEO of Wild Kerala Tour company K G Pramod said.

With the help of local communities and forest department, the company has created a well-planned wilderness experience that introduces a small group of travellers to new environment with minimum impact on the environment, he told a news agency.

People of all age groups, especially in the 35 to70 age group take the tours, he said.

The bookings are made with the help of the forest department that in turn informs the local forest office and the local eco-development communities. The tribal youth and local communities were also involved, he said.

The Chimmony Sanctuary has incredible bird, butterfly and animal diversity and is considered to be one of Kerala's best stretches of deciduous forests. Eco guides from the indigenous Malaya community show the common medicinal herbs used by them. The tourists can feast their eyes on the floral diversity and take a dip in the crystal clear waters of mountain streams.

source:http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=451983&sid=LIF&ssid=8