Whiskers are also known as vibrissa, from the latin vibrare "to vibrate". Vibrissa are the specialized hairs on mammals and the bristlelike feathers near the mouths of many birds. Their resonant design is symbolic of the energies, good and bad, that are reverberating throughout the natural world. Every living thing is connected and, by birthright, deserves to exist.
What is It?
Sensational nature programs are the scripted and filmed activities of humans inserting themselves into wild animal habitats for a variety of entertainment possibilities. This programming type runs the gamut of capturing, restraining, taunting, frightening and/or overpowering wildlife in its home and for the purpose of demonstrating human dominance over the natural world. This is not the same as programming with a focus on advocacy, rescue or conservation of animals and animal habitats.
Who Does It Hurt?
It hurts everyone involved. The humans are at risk of injury or death and so are the animals. It is also disrespectful to wildlife. It is comparable to someone breaking into your home while you are having dinner, tackling you and roping your legs and arms behind your back and putting you in a cage.
Many misinterpret human “dominion” over animals to mean that humans can do with animals as they please. However, truly responsible nature programming has an important role in conservation. It may also include capture and restraint of wildlife, but the techniques used in this type of programming are usually far less stressful to wildlife and allow for quick release of the animal.
What Can You Do?
If you observe sensational wildlife programming, write the network responsible and let them know it is not necessary to create extreme wildlife shows to attract and keep viewers. Wildlife is fascinating enough on its own merits. To live and let live, while filming and peacefully narrating from a respectable distance, has worked well for decades. For example, using some fantastic footage, Sir David Attenborough successfully informs viewers about the natural behavior of anacondas, as shown in the following clip. And he did so without feeding himself or anyone else to a single anaconda.