Write letters to wildlife through this unique service by a Mumbaikar that helps you learn more about them

Representation pic

The birds have sung their birdsongs, frogs have croaked, and insects have clicked all they could. After all efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears with our fellow human beings, our wild friends are moving to a (slightly) more modern medium: speed post. Letters from the Wild is Dahisar-based nature educator and illustrator Sefi George's new initiative that brings letters written from the perspective of our wild neighbours to your doorstep.

A letter from the tiger about his tourist-friendly cousin, Raja. PICS COURTESY/SUMMER SCRIBBLES

"Dear clear-skinned ape," the sassy Panthera tigris tigris aka Bengal Tiger takes a dig at us, as she writes from Tadoba's dense jungles. The humour is an add-on - George reveals that the letters are the culmination of research over the past three years. "I wanted to focus on India's native wildlife and shine a light on their lives, modern problems, and common myths around them. The 12 species each have their own stories to tell," she reveals, adding that the series will continue next year with more species.

Sefi George

Few of the illustrator's letters are inspired by real-life observations. The Coppersmith Barbet's story stems from a tree outside Bandra railway station, while the Praying Mantis's story was born from an observation in Bengaluru's Lalbagh Botanical Garden. "While my target audience is anyone above seven years who loves nature, I'd love to see parents help younger children read the letters," George says. Give the bedtime stories a break for these wild tales, we'd say.

The letters arrive in bundles of three

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Word in the woods

Every quarter, Sefi George will curate a wild trio: A popular species, an animal with a bad reputation, and a commonly sighted species. Here's a sneak peek into what this season's letter writers have to say

Keep it real

The tiger from Tadoba has family gossip. His cousin Raja has become a ‘tourist tiger' who flashes his pearly canines for cameras, and treats tourists to a perfect-10 catwalk every now and then. His territory has shrunk because of his celebrity status. "When you join a safari, don't go chasing after the tiger, there's much more to see," the tiger reminds us.

Pray, tell me

The Praying Mantis is in a fix. Females of his species are known to decapitate their male counterparts after mating, although it is less common than popular belief. The male writes to you while contemplating if he should approach his potential mate. Say a prayer and go for it, we'd say.

Match my tempo

Inspired by the Coppersmith Barbets perched on the Banyan tree near the Police Chowki outside Bandra railway station's west exit, this letter is all about rhythm. The bird uses its distinct ‘tuk-tuk' call to teach us a lesson about finding rhythm in this city. There's a touch of banter about other animal's sense of rhythm.

Game on

Barbet buffet: This word search activity introduces you to the Coppersmith Barbet's diet in the city. How many treats can you find?

Colour me wild: Those keen to write back to the wild can colour these postcards before penning down their thoughts. Save your letters till George finds a way to return the mails to senders.

Badge of honour: Your new pen pals have posed for these cool multi-surface vinyl stickers