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Examining two different faces of `tribal animals'

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: At the very dawn of humanity, man must have feared large animals as he himself was the prey. Numerous rituals and sacred ceremonies developed wherever man encountered these dangerous animals. Now Animal Planet will take viewers on a wild voyage through its three-part series, "Tribal Animals", premiering this Sunday.

The series will bring a collection of spiritual and wild stories from across the animal world and will be aired on Sundays. Animal Planet will try to find out why big cats have always fascinated mankind. It will highlight the fact that our ancestors, who could not equal their power and were sometimes prey themselves, conferred supernatural powers on the big cats.

"Tribal Animals" examines why the big cats, the elephant and the monkey have always had two totally different faces. Gods or demons, their mystery is at the very roots of our beliefs.

Thai monks

Big cats may be fearsome predators that have haunted our collective imagination for centuries, but in Thailand a group of monks are raising tigers according to Buddhist principles. "Big Cats" tomorrow showcases monks combating the natural aggression of the tigers as a way of purifying the "karma" of the souls of humans that have been reincarnated in these animals.

In this episode, Animal Planet will also travel to the Sundarbans mangrove forest in West Bengal where a confrontation between man and the big cat is brewing.

For a long time in history the elephant has either been worshiped as a god or massacred for its ivory. A unique bond has been forged between man and the elephant. "Elephants" on June 17 will showcase the pachyderm participating in Buddhist rites in Sri Lanka.

This episode will also show why for many Africans killing the elephant is the only way to survive. It will also show the Mnong, who live in southern Vietnam and are skilled in capturing and training elephants. According to Mnong legend, elephants have souls and are sacred.

"Apes" on June 24 will explore why monkeys are revered by some people. It will highlight the fact that in Hindu religion monkey is a revered figure.

This episode will also dwell on the fact that the Hamadryas baboon was a sacred animal in Egyptian civilisation. Today big monkeys continue to be a source of inspiration and even, at times, fantasy.

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