Report On Exhibition on Animal Courtship Behaviour by Green Army (Dept of Life Sciences) On Feb 14, 2018

February 14 is celebrated as Valentine’s day every year. It is a day reserved especially for your loved ones and is celebrated all over the world. This year’s Valentine’s day though, witnessed a unique event in Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. A group of students from an organisation called Green Army put up a Zoology exhibition in the university campus. Do not be fooled by its name though. Surprisingly, the theme of the exhibition was Valentine’s day! Six different tables, dedicated to six different groups of animals explained about the courtship in animals. The exhibition went on from nine in the morning to five ‘o’ clock in the evening. From song birds and colourful dances, to spiders eating up their partners, the vivid pictures, videos and specimens on display kept the audience enthralled.

Who knew that there were so many different ways to woo your partner?! The Dance of The Whooping Cranes, The Cannibalistic Praying Mantis, The Dancing frogs and The Garter snake ‘Mating Balls’ were some of the many interesting behaviours to choose from. Along with these, there were additional attractions like snake scale counting and weighing an elephant’s tooth that caught the attention of the passers-by.

There were six more tables, with interesting information and facts about the fascinating world of animals. The aim of the program was not only to educate people about animal behaviour but also to spread the message of conservation among them. From tiny insects to huge mammals, the importance of each and every animal group in the ecosystem was explained by the students.

The exhibition was a successful attempt by the members of Green Army, to show the students the beauty and diversity in the animal kingdom and make them aware of how important it is to protect our flora and fauna. It left many people more aware about the world that they share with these wonderful beings, and the importance of conserving our forests, rivers, grasslands and oceans, and the wildlife that lives in it.