I don't think I'm too far off the mark here when I say that the tiger, like the rhino and the elephant, really only see us as a species to be avoided. Contrary to what the crazies who deify this animal believe, this animal isn't some supernatural beast. If it was, it wouldn't be in this mess. The tiger eats, sleeps and defecates just like the rest of us. As a top predator it has all the senses to survive in its natural habitat. It's an animal at the top of its food chain, nothing more, nothing less. It has done nothing wrong.
Somewhere along the line us humans have decided the tiger is something more. We've decided the great cat can cure us of our ailments, give us greater power and virility, help us be something we can't manage to simply become ourselves.
So we revere the tiger and kill it.
I've been around the whole tiger game long enough to know this helpless animal, while being a vital part of several different ecological frameworks, is as vulnerable now as any animal on the planet. The fragmented populations can't really fight back anymore.
Geneva this week will see part of where the real fight is taking place. Our thinking as a collective will be reflected over the next few days. The tipping point for the rhino, the elephant, the tiger and numerous other species has been reached.
The future of tiger farms, the status of the ivory market and the political will to really combat rhino poaching will all be examined.
It's a now or never situation. And never is forever.
It's Global Tiger Day this coming Sunday, 29 July. It'll be a time to reflect on the whole situation. Right now, I'm going to hope, plant a tree and continue to do my bit to help protect wildlife.
Why? Because it's the right thing to do...
Jack, since our heady days in the mountains together you know I have long admired your passion on these and other environmental issues. You have always been positive and a fighter but do I sense an air of resignation from you now?
ReplyDeleteHa, varies from day to day but as usual coffee intake plays its part. There'll always be tigers, elephants and rhinos but just where and how many ... there's no crystal ball showing that story ...
DeleteI think you should be in Geneva, delivering this speech to those very suits, Jack. I'll plant your tree.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put, Jack . And I agree, it should be you who delivers this speech.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. Our thinking as a collective toward the whole wildlife is on the table
ReplyDelete...beautifully stated. The world would be a bleak place without the #Tiger, #Elephant and #Rhino.
ReplyDeleteI wish that we could get across to these other people from these other countries about what they are doing!! maybe CITES will do some good!!! wish I could be there to share what is going on and stay there till they understood!!!
ReplyDeleteAbout 100 of NGO working in and around corbett to mint money.. animals have always been helpful to Humans .. be for money or for satisfying other wants..
ReplyDeleteFollowing CITES closely, some passionate submissions and some stone walled responses. Whatever happens this week the fight goes on regardless.
ReplyDelete