Mini Private Zoo : Mata Kucing (near Sekupang)
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Yesterday, we were at Kepri Mall and there was an event outside the mall. There was a stall exhibiting reptiles - iguanas, pythons, etc. I saw an "eagle" perched on a stand - it was beautiful. We inquired more about it and came to know it was actually a kite. The guy said eagles are truly truly endangered but that there is (only) one in a private zoo in batam !
Very eager to go seeing it. Drove there.
Took some photos.
The zoo is indeed small. It's privately owned. However, the visitors can be at close proximity to the animals. There were interesting exhibits.
Komodo Dragon
Gibbon ? Baboon ? I'm no monkey expert. LOL.
We saw a flock of kites - made the sound of a crying child. Almost eerie, yet enchanting. Didn't take photo - bcs what we were here for was just next to them in an adjacent cage.
The
Rajawali ... majestic, regal, beautiful
We were told that this Rajawali was reared since hatchling. To catch a
wild Rajawali was just too dangerous to both eagle and catcher. The best way was to catch the hatchlings and rear them - thereby "domesticating" as they grow.
I admired the bird. Seeing it in a photo or documentary channel just can't beat seeing it physically and just a few meters away.
Then it did something : it flew down from the branch to the ground and about 1 meter from me. I dunno... me and bird both looking at each other. me and partner didn't make any noise - didn't want to scare it away unintentionally. I felt honored, touched, sad, blessed as we continue looking at each other. We were so close in distance - and it was big and tall (to my upper thigh height).
It was maybe 50 secs ? I dunno - but it felt very long. no words - just looking and admiring the majestic bird. Then it flew back to the branch - gosh when it spread its wings and flew off - the air-pressure hit us hard. lol.
That magical moment - both man and Rajawali stood so close.
For sharing.