19 October,2026 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Samruddhi Trivedi
Wandering Violin Mantis. Pics courtesy/Bnhscec; Kartheek thevar
Here's a chance to be a wildlife scientist for a day without spending years studying the subject. If birdwatching gets you excited, or you find yourself curious about an unusual insect, this could be your calling. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is giving nature enthusiasts an opportunity to experience the work of wildlife researchers with Be a Scientist for a Day.
The fun lies in learning to read nature like a scientist. Participants will find out how researchers count bird populations and track mammals through footprints and other signs of their presence.
Participants interact with researchers at a previous session
They will also learn how camera traps capture wildlife remotely and practise recording their findings on scientific data sheets, noting the species, location and time. Every observation adds a piece to the larger picture of the biodiversity around us.
Early morning sightings could include warblers and hornbills, while the centre's insect trails may reveal butterflies, shield bugs, and the Wandering Violin Mantis, an insect whose leaf-like appearance helps it disappear into its surroundings. Education officers Kartheek Thevar and Kimaya Gajare will introduce participants to the methods used to study these species.
Kartheek Thevar and Kimaya Gajare
"Different species require different study methods," says Thevar. The experience also aims to show budding naturalists that wildlife biology can be a career. "We want people to understand the science behind our work, the effort it takes and how it can benefit both people and nature," he adds.
On October 25; 7.30 am to 10.30 am
AT BNHS Conservation Education Centre, Goregaon East.
Log on to @bnhs_cec_mumbai_official
Entry Rs 550 (BNHS members) R650 (Non-members)
