The art of studying animal behaviour is a contentious one. Is it possible to live close to wild animals, watch them behave naturally, win their trust - and not put them at risk? Anyone passionate about or interested in watching wildlife faces a dilemma. On the one hand, you want to get close to your subject, spend time with it and study it. On the other, you want it to remain undisturbed, content and going about its life without any interference. In all but a very few circumstances, the two objectives are mutually exclusive. It is impossible to have absolutely no influence when you are watching wild creatures. Your very presence, scent, sounds and movements will have some effect, however slight. The trick is to minimise the amount of disturbanceby hiding, keeping a huge distance away, using surveillance equipment or by 'habituating' your subject. A distinction should be drawn between habituation and making an animal tame. A habituated creature has become used to a very specific set of circumstances, and humans must behave in a certain way to be accepted. A tame animal is far less discerning. This is not to say that all domestic animals are tame, as many a farmer will testify. A group of wild badgers may accept one human, sitting in one position wearing one set of clothes, but be nervous of the same person if any of those variables change. Cheetahs or lions in Kenya or Tanzania may be comfortable with a number of vehicles parked dose by, but if one person steps out of a car, they will be afraid or aggressive. It's all a matter of time and exposure.
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