India | 2025 Recap India’s celebrated award-winning author and social media influencer Baba KaranVeeR had what can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime year in 2025. From sleeping beside a cheetah in Africa to swimming underwater with millions of sardines, Baba’s year was filled with extraordinary encounters with animals, birds, mammals, and marine life across the globe.
Widely regarded as one of the first Indian animal bloggers, Baba’s content goes far beyond travel photography—it is about connection, respect, and coexistence.
Q: Baba, people often ask—what exactly is an animal blogger?
Baba KaranVeeR: “An animal blogger is someone who documents real, respectful interactions with animals, birds, mammals, and marine life, while spreading awareness about their behavior, emotions, and right to live freely. It’s not about showing power over animals—it’s about humility, learning, and love.”
A Year That Began with a Cheetah
Baba’s wildlife journey in 2025 began dramatically in Zambia, where he experienced something almost unimaginable—sleeping beside a cheetah. Known as the fastest land animal on the planet, the cheetah’s calm presence challenged every stereotype.
“People think speed means aggression,” Baba says, “but cheetahs are graceful and deeply sensitive beings.”
Gentle Giants: African Elephants
At Chaminuka Lodge, Lusaka, Baba petted a wild African elephant and her young calf.
“They’re massive, yes—but also incredibly loving. You feel like you’re touching ancient wisdom,” he recalls.
Australia Zoo & the Prehistoric Wombat
Volunteering for a day at Australia Zoo, Baba met one of the world’s most fascinating mammals—the wombat.
Fun fact: Wombats are among the oldest surviving mammal lineages, often referred to as “living fossils,” with roots tracing back to the time of dinosaurs. They also produce cube-shaped poop—nature’s most unusual design.
He also spent time with wild kangaroos, which Baba fondly calls “the cutest animals on the planet.”
Scotland’s Birds of Power
In Scotland, Baba held a massive eagle—“the scariest bird of the sky,” he laughs—followed by an unforgettable moment with a giant Scottish owl.
“When she turned her head almost 180 degrees while sitting in my hand… time just stopped.”
Walking with Lions: The Moment of a Lifetime
At Ukutula Game Reserve, South Africa, Baba walked alongside two adult African lions.
“It was scary, surreal, and magical all at once,” he says. Later, playing with a lion cub brought out the softer side of the kings of the jungle.
“If I had to choose one moment,” Baba admits, “walking with lions would be on top—but every experience had its own energy.”
Asia Adventures: Monkeys, Luwaks & Tigers
• In Bali, Baba took a hilarious selfie with a wild monkey and held a luwak, the mammal famous for producing the world’s most expensive coffee through a natural fermentation process. • In Thailand, he came face to face with a white tiger—a powerful yet endangered creature.
“Tigers have something in their eyes,” Baba says quietly. “It humbles you.”
Reptiles, Turtles & Facing Fear
Back in Zambia, at Kalinga Reptile Park, Baba held a 40-kg wild python.
“I was scared to death,” he laughs, “but I think the python was more scared than me.”
He also held a young crocodile—fully aware that a larger one would have made him dinner—and spent time with an African turtle known to live over 100 years.
Underwater Magic in the Philippines
In Moalboal Island, Cebu, Baba swam underwater through massive schools of sardines.
“It felt like flying through another universe,” he says. “Life underwater is pure magic.”
A Divine Connection with Wildlife
Baba believes he shares an unspoken, divine bond with animals.
“I never feel fear. I feel home,” he says. He strongly opposes hunting and believes all zoos should eventually be converted into national parks, allowing animals and birds to live cage-free.
Looking Ahead: Plans for 2026
Baba’s mission is far from over. • Spreading global wildlife awareness • Volunteering in Botswana for Save the Rhino campaigns • Whale shark diving in Comoros , promoting marine conservation
Final Words
“All these encounters were magical,” Baba reflects. “They all carry different energies—but they all teach the same lesson: coexistence, respect, and love.”
Baba KaranVeeR’s journey is not just about wildlife—it’s about reminding humanity that the planet belongs to all of us.
