India, Jan. 31 -- My fondest childhood memories are of going on safaris with my family. Those early experiences shaped the way I looked at the natural world, and for a long time, being outdoors and observing animals felt like a natural part of my life. But as I grew older, that freedom was gradually replaced by responsibilities: getting into college, building a career, and settling into the routines that come with adult life. Years passed quickly, and without realizing it, I had stopped visiting sanctuaries altogether. I began to miss being in the wild, away from schedules, and spending time simply watching animals in their own environment.

Around that time, a colleague strongly suggested that I visit Bera, which was still a relatively o...