A couple of weekends back, I visited the Hellabrunn zoo in Munich… it was my first time in something like 4 years. Taking pictures of animals at the zoo is somewhat of a grey area for me as far as ethics is concerned. 

This chimpanzee was the most chilled out of all the denizens of this zoo. I mean, he’s probably just waiting for someone to get the beer, now that the day and all that hard work of posturing for the visitors is done. (Oct 2018)

I mean, having visitors gawking at them, especially and smartphone-snapping and camera-clicking ones like myself, day in and out is probably a nuisance for the resident animals, who, at best, just want to be left alone (unless you are one of those exhibitionist personality types or whatever that is in the animal world). Having said that it is these very people funding the zoo and indirectly supporting the zoo’s conservation efforts. Also, I suppose visiting all exotic creatures in one place results in a smaller carbon footprint than having to travel around the world seeing each creature in its separate, albeit wild, habitat.

As you may have noticed, we stand 2:1 (as far as arguments go) in favor of clicking pictures at the zoo. And that is exactly how I convinced myself that carrying my camera to the zoo isn’t going to get me bad karma … at least not dangerously bad karma.  With this intro – I’ll let you enjoy the pictures… 

A fancy looking duck glides by in a sunshine-dappled small stream … it was an unusually warm, but pleasant autumn day. Zoos aren’t fun on rainy days. (Oct 2018)

A meerkat stands tall watchfully even if its current habitat is ring-fenced. I suppose you cannot let your guard down with all those humans around you – we are not just a threat to them but to this planet after all. (Oct 2018)

The last time I saw an Indian rhinoceros was in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam at the turn of the century. As I looked at this giant ruminating there, I tried to figure out its expression… its gaze doesn’t give away too much, does it now? (Oct 2018)

Two polar bears flopped over each other in an afternoon snooze…by god, with all that fur and sun, you wonder if they’ll wake up all sweaty and grumpy. As you can see, I have different practical concerns apart from the fact that this is an endangered species. They do rate high on cuteness quotient, that is, with their eyes and jaws shut. (Oct 2018).

This gentleman here was roaring his throat out seconds before we reached (probably irritated with the lack of privacy – I would be)… he then heaved himself down facing away from the crowds with utter disdain written over his face. Good thing too – my blood would freeze if I were to look into those yellow eyes. (Oct 2018).

That posture looks awkward…probably feels awkward too. Unless you are a knocked out fishing cat from Asia. I suppose they don’t have doctors consulting them on healthy postures good for your back and all? (Oct 2018)

This siamang, a type of gibbons from the tropical forests of Sumatra, sits there coolly staring back indifferently at the visitors. I do like the hair-do. He’s one Mr. Cool for me. (Oct 2018)

Lemurs always look like they have been scared out of their beds in the middle of the night. This red-ruffed one is no different. Hopping frenetically from one place to other, their whole existence seems to be based on paranoia – which isn’t too misplaced given their critically endangered status. (Oct 2018)

In contrast, this ring-tailed lemur seems a bit confused or simply contemplative wondering if it should put its best foot on this side or that side of the divide. There is no right or wrong here, my friend – just go for it. (Oct 2018).

This cotton-top tamarin is relieving himself of an itch… an interval of a few milliseconds between the constant scampering around. They are, I believe, the most endearing creatures I saw that day… maybe apart from the rockhopper penguins with their crested eyebrows. (Oct 2018)

A baby orangutan was busy playing with hay and cardboard boxes… I cannot count how many people were there taking its picture (I was one of them too). Again – high on cuteness quotient, this little fella was probably a rock star for those few minutes (Oct 2018)

This moustached guenon from west Africa stares up at the heavens… while the attention is drawn to its blue face and the white moustache-like band on the upper lip, his eyes give him a very human-like expression. Is it resignation? Or hope? Or just checking out the weather? (Oct 2018)

This chimpanzee was the most chilled out of all the denizens of this zoo. I mean, he’s probably just waiting for someone to get the beer, now that the day and all that hard work of posturing for the visitors is done. (Oct 2018)

I sensed an underlying tension between these two west African lowland gorillas. The one on the left eating away the leaves on that twig – slowly and purposefully. While the one of the right looks on either waiting for the other one to move over, hand over the twig or whatever it is gorillas do when intimidated. (Oct 2018)

On the other side of the enclosure, this gorilla bends just enough to relieve an itch. Looks funny – except when you think this is also a critically endangered species, it doesn’t feel like a laughing matter anymore. (Oct 2018)