INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY: Just over a couple of weeks ago these two special characters cheered me up immensely when they just appeared out of nowhere and walked and talked with me for about an hour. It was at the end of long day at about3500m. We talked about leopards and snow leopards, bears and eagles. I told them about the tigers I had recently seen in western Nepal. They were confused as to them tiger meant snow leopard. And why shouldn't it? It's a few hours now before International Tiger Day when there'll be lots of groups and individuals taking the opportunity to once again talk about the plight of the tiger and being less than subtle in seeking funding and support. I'm getting up early to observe a sea eagle nest being built, that's my tiger and why not? There's a lot of propaganda surrounding the tiger now, it's become an industry, a place with a lot of egos attached. There's a tourism industry connected to the tiger, it's out of control in many places. My own truth and fact finding missions in the last few months have led to some disappointing conclusions regarding some of the people and organizations involved. However, the positive is that the tiger is actually doing ok, despite what people are saying. There is plenty of room for optimism and hope, despite the propaganda. I'm looking forward to enlarging on this soon but there are still quite a few stones to be looked under, a few questions to be asked. In the meantime be a bit careful, guarded about the hype, find your own tiger, it doesn't have to be a stripey one, they all count...
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